Exterior mirror system for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

An exterior mirror system for a vehicle includes exterior rearview mirror assemblies mounted at respective sides of the vehicle. The mirror assemblies include a light module and a camera. The cameras are part of a multi-camera vision system that includes a display device that is operable to display images for viewing by the vehicle driver. The indicator of the light module includes a signal light that is configured to provide light that is observable to another driver of another vehicle who is (i) approaching the vehicle from its rear and/or (ii) overtaking the vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the side of the vehicle at which mirror assembly is mounted. Actuation of the signal light provides (i) light forwardly of the vehicle so that drivers of other vehicles approaching the vehicle may observe the actuated signal light and/or (ii) light laterally with respect to the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/195,138, filed Mar. 3, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,631, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/027,482, filed Sep.16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,662,724, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/608,262, filed Sep. 10, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,534,886, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/296,790, filed Nov. 15, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,262,268,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/962,987,filed Dec. 8, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,415, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/632,213, filed Dec. 7, 2009, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,850,351, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/495,050, filed Jul. 28, 2006, abandoned, whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/770,097, filedFeb. 2, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,312, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/190,840, filed Jul. 8, 2002, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,685,348, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/866,398, filed May 25, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,416,208, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/335,010, filed Jun. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,276,821, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to security systems for vehicles and,more particularly, to remotely actuated, personal safety lightingsystems. The invention is particularly adapted to incorporation in theexterior mirrors of a vehicle.

Personal security in and around vehicles has become an importantconcern. In particular, an increasing number of assaults and robberiesare committed in parking lots while occupants are entering and exitingvehicles. While remote-operated, keyless entry systems have beenincorporated in vehicles in order to unlock the vehicle and illuminateinterior lights, such systems merely expedite entry to the vehicle anddo not, per se, enhance security around the vehicle. Accordingly, a needexists for a vehicle security system to increase the security forvehicle occupants while entering and exiting the vehicle. Any suchsystem would need to be aesthetically pleasing and not burdensome inuse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to provide a personal safety featurefor a vehicle in the form of a floodlight adapted to projecting lightgenerally downwardly on an area adjacent a portion of the vehicle inorder to create a lighted security zone in the area. Advantageously, thefloodlight is preferably positioned in the housing of an exterior mirrorhaving a reflective element also positioned in the housing. According toan aspect of the invention, an actuator is provided for the floodlightincluding a base unit in the vehicle and a remote transmitter. The baseunit is responsive to a signal from the remote transmitter in order toactuate the floodlight. This allows the vehicle operator to actuate thefloodlight from a distance in order to establish the security zone priorto approaching the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, an actuator for thefloodlight includes a lockout device in order to prevent actuation ofthe floodlight during operation of the vehicle. According to yet afurther aspect of the invention, a signal light that is adapted toprojecting light generally rearwardly of the vehicle is included in theexterior mirror housing. An actuator for the warning light is connectedwith the stoplight circuit, turn signal circuit, or both the stoplightand turn signal circuit, of the vehicle in order to actuate the warninglight when either the stoplight or turn signal is being actuated.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the floodlight isadapted to projecting a pattern of light from the housing on an areaadjacent a portion of the vehicle that extends laterally onto thevehicle and downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. In this manner, asecurity zone is established from the vehicle door to the rear of thevehicle. The signal light is adapted to projecting a pattern of lightextending laterally away from the vehicle and rearwardly of the vehicle.In this manner, the pattern generated by the signal light cannot besubstantially observed by a driver of the vehicle. However, the patterngenerated by the signal light may be observed by a driver of anothervehicle passing the vehicle equipped according to the invention.

The floodlight and signal lights may be generated by a light emittingdiode positioned in the housing, a vacuum fluorescent lamp positioned inthe housing, an incandescent lamp positioned in the housing or a lightsource in the vehicle and a light pipe between the light source and themirror housing.

By providing a lighted security zone adjacent the vehicle, users canobserve suspicious activity around the vehicle. The pattern of lightgenerated by a security light according to the invention establishes asecurity zone around, and even under, the vehicle in the important areawhere the users enter and exit the vehicle. The provision for remoteactuation of the security light provides a deterrent to ward off personslurking around the protected vehicle while the users are still at a safedistance from the vehicle. The provision for a lockout circuit ensuresthat the security light will not inadvertently be actuated while thevehicle is in motion. The invention, further, conveniently combines asignal light that acts in unison with the vehicle's turn signal, brakelight, or both, with the security light in an exterior mirror assembly.The signal light may be designed to be observed by other vehiclespassing the equipped vehicle but not directly by the driver of theequipped vehicle.

The present invention further provides an exterior mirror system for avehicle, which incorporates a signal light into the exterior rearviewmirror assembly. The signal light provides a light pattern whichpreferably extends forwardly, rearwardly, and to the side of the vehiclein order to provide advance warning to approaching vehicles, or to avehicle that is in the vehicle's blind spot, that the driver of thevehicle intends to make a turn or lane change, with the light patternpreferably restricted from direct observation by a driver of thevehicle. Additionally, the present invention provides a “powerfold”exterior mirror system which includes a security light that projects apattern of light adjacent side of the vehicle and fans the lightoutwardly from the vehicle to provide a security zone, which isoptionally adapted to maintain the position of the pattern of light evenwhen the exterior rearview mirror assembly is moved between its normalextended operating position to a folded position. It is quite common invehicles in many European countries to have electrically retractable or“powerfold” mirrors.

According to one form of the invention, an exterior mirror system for avehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly, which includes areflective element, a housing for the reflective element, and apositioning device for adjusting the position of the reflective elementin the housing. The mirror assembly is adapted to mount to the vehicleand includes at least one signal light. The signal light includes alight source and a light conduiting member. The light conduiting memberis oriented for facing at least rearward of the vehicle and is adaptedto project a pattern of light from the housing which extends at leastrearwardly of and laterally from the vehicle and to restrict the lightfrom extending into the vehicles so that a driver seated in the vehicledoes not directly observe the pattern of light. Preferably, the patternof light comprises an amber colored light to provide a signal.

In one aspect, the light conduiting member includes a light inputsurface and a light emitting surface. In one form, at least a portion ofthe light emitting surface is generally orthogonal to the light inputsurface. In further aspects, the light conduiting member includes aplurality of light conduiting portions with each including a light inputsurface and a light emitting surface and first and second side walls.The side walls provide internal light reflecting surfaces and directlight from the light source through the light conduiting portions andthrough the light emitting surfaces. In preferred form, the signal lightincludes a plurality of light sources, with each being associated withthe light conduiting portions.

In other aspects, the light conduiting member includes a first side, afirst end, and a second side. The first side defines the light emittingsurface and is positioned for facing outward from the housing. The firstend defines the light input surface. The second side defines a pluralityof internal reflecting surfaces which are arranged to reflect the lightfrom the light source through the first side of the light reflectingmember and in the light pattern. In further aspects, the light patternincludes a plurality of light regions, with each of the light regionshaving a first leading edge generally parallel with the vehicle and asecond leading edge generally angled away from the vehicle. For example,the internal reflecting surfaces may comprise generally angled planarsurfaces provided on the second side of the light conduiting member.

In another aspect, the exterior mirror system includes a second lightconduiting member which is positioned in a front facing portion of thehousing wall of the exterior mirror assembly and directs light at leastforwardly of the vehicle. Preferably, the second light reflecting memberwraps around an outer portion of the housing wall for directing lightlaterally with respect to the vehicle.

According to yet another form of the invention, an exterior mirrorassembly for vehicle includes a mirror housing having a reflectiveelement and a positioning device for adjusting the position of thereflective element, and a signal light mounted to a portion of theassembly. The signal light includes a light source and a reflector,which includes a plurality of faceted light reflecting surfaces fordirecting light from the light source forwardly, rearwardly, andlaterally of the vehicle. The faceted reflecting surfaces are adapted torestrict light from extending into the vehicle so that a driver seatedin the vehicle does not directly observe the pattern of light.

In one aspect, the faceted reflector surfaces may comprise either planarreflective surfaces, concave reflective surfaces, or convex reflectivesurface. Preferably, at least one of the faceted reflective surfacescomprises a concave reflective surface.

In other aspects, the signal light includes a housing, which includes arecessed portion defining a curvilinear wall. The light source ispositioned in the recessed portion, and the reflector is positionedalong the curvilinear wall. Light emitted from the light source isdirected outwardly from the light module and forwardly, rearwardly, andlaterally of the vehicle and is restricted from extending into thevehicle so that the driver seated in the vehicle does not directlyobserve the light pattern.

According to another form of the invention, the exterior mirror assemblyfor vehicle includes a powerfold exterior mirror system. The powerfoldexterior mirror system includes a folding portion and a non-foldingportion, with the non-folding portion being adapted to mount to thevehicle, and the folding portion including a reflective element andbeing adapted to move between a normal viewing position and a foldedposition. At least one security light is substantially positioned ineither the folding portion or the non-folding portion, which is adaptedto project a pattern of light from the exterior mirror assembly tocreate a lighted security zone in an area adjacent the vehicle.

In one aspect, the security light is positioned in the folding portionof the exterior mirror assembly. In further aspects, the exterior mirrorassembly further includes an actuator, which adjusts the position of thesecurity light in the folding portion when the folding portion moves toits folded position whereby the orientation of the lighted security zoneremains substantially unaffected by the movement of the folding portion.

In another aspect, the security light is mounted to the non-foldingportion of the exterior mirror assembly. In further aspects, thesecurity light includes a housing, a light source positioned to thehousing, a light reflecting member supported in the housing, and acover. The light reflecting member directs light from the light sourcethrough the cover. Preferably, the housing is substantially positionedin the non-folding portion of the exterior mirror assembly. Furthermore,the cover is preferably substantially flush with an outer surface of thenon-folding portion to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the securitylight.

It can be appreciated from the foregoing that the exterior mirror systemof the present invention permits an approaching vehicle to observe anactuated signal light without the interference from headlights or brakelights. The exterior mirror system may include a unitary module, whichis easily installed or removed for repair, or a signal light assemblywhich is incorporated into the housing of the mirror assembly.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features in theinvention, will become more apparent from the study of the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from the front of a mirror assembly(rear of the vehicle) incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mirror assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mirror assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is the same view of FIG. 1 of an alternative embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a controlsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a breakaway perspective view of the system in FIG. 1 revealinginternal components thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the lines VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the lines IX-IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a vehicle illustrating the security zonelight pattern generated by a security light according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the vehicle and light pattern in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of the vehicle and light pattern in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of a vehicle illustrating the light patterngenerated by a signal light useful with the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the vehicle and light pattern in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation of the vehicle and light pattern in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is the same view as FIG. 7 of a first alternative light sourceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 17 is the same view as FIG. 7 of a second alternative light source;

FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 7 of a third alternative light source;

FIG. 19 is the same view as FIG. 7 of a fourth alternative light source;and

FIG. 20 is the same view as FIG. 7 of the invention embodied in analternative mirror structure.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a vehicle with an exterior rearview mirrorassembly of the present invention mounted to the vehicle illustratingthe light pattern from a signal light mounted in the exterior rearviewmirror assembly;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the driver's side exterior rearviewmirror assembly of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-section view taken along line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a light reflecting member of theexterior rearview mirror assembly of FIGS. 22 and 23;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the light reflecting member of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is an elevation view of a second embodiment of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assemblyof FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a plan view of a light module of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a signal light of FIG. 30;

FIG. 31A is a front elevation of a light source of the signal light ofFIG. 31;

FIG. 31B is a side view of the light source of FIG. 31A;

FIG. 32A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the signal light ofFIG. 31;

FIG. 32B is a plan view of a third embodiment of the signal light ofFIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the exterior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention shown mounted to a vehicle;

FIG. 34 is an enlarged plan view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 33 illustrated in a normal extended position;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged plan view of the exterior mirror assembly of FIG.33 in a folded position;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXVI-XXXVI of FIG.34 illustrating a light module of the exterior rearview mirror assemblyof FIG. 33 and a positioning mechanism for the light module;

FIG. 37 is an elevation view of one the exterior rearview mirrorassemblies of FIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is an elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a plan view of a vehicle with foldable driver and passengerside rearview mirror assemblies incorporating another embodiment of aground illuminating light of the present invention illustrating a lightpattern on the ground when the mirror assemblies are in their normal useposition;

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 39 illustrating a secondlight pattern when the exterior mirror assemblies are in foldedpositions;

FIG. 41A is a perspective view of the exterior mirror assembly of FIG.39;

FIG. 41B is a perspective view of the exterior mirror assembly of FIG.40 in the folded position;

FIG. 42A is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of foldableexterior mirror assembly similar to FIG. 41A incorporating a groundilluminating or security light;

FIG. 42B is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a foldableexterior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a ground illuminatinglight;

FIG. 42C is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of an exteriorrearview mirror assembly;

FIG. 42D is a plan view of a vehicle with foldable driver and passengerside rearview mirror assemblies incorporating the exterior rearviewmirror assembly of FIG. 42C;

FIG. 43 is an elevation view of a tenth embodiment of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXXIV-XXXXIV of FIG.43;

FIG. 45 is an elevation view of an eleventh embodiment of the exteriorrearview mirror of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXXVI-XXXXVI of FIG.45; and

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a signal light module incorporating asecurity light; and

FIG. 48 is a plan view of a vehicle with a vision system in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now specifically to the drawings, and the illustrativeembodiments depicted therein, a vehicle personal security lightingsystem 25 includes an exterior mirror assembly 26 having a conventionalreflectance element 28, a security light 30, preferably white, or clear,and a signal light 32, preferably red, incorporated in a housing, orcasing, 34. Casing 34 is connected by a neck 36 to a stationary panel orsail 38 adapted for incorporation with the forward portion of thevehicle side window assembly, and which mounts mirror assembly 26 to thedoor of a vehicle 40 (see FIG. 10). Reflectance element 28 may be any ofseveral reflectors, such as glass coated on its first or second surfacewith a suitable reflective layer or layers, such as those disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,179,471, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein, or an electro-optic cell including a liquidcrystal, electrochromic, or electrochemichromic fluid, gel orsolid-state compound for varying the reflectivity of the mirror inresponse to electrical voltage applied there across as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,151,824, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, as is conventional, reflectance element28 is mounted to a bracket 43 by an actuator 42. Casing 34 is mounted tobracket 43. Actuator 42 provides remote positioning of reflectanceelement 28 on two orthogonal axes. Such actuators are well known in theart and may include a jackscrew-type actuator 42 such as Model No.H16-49-8001 (right-hand mirror) and Model No. H16-49-8051 (left-handmirror) by Matsuyama of Kawagoe City, Japan, as illustrated in FIG. 7,or a planetary-gear actuator 42′ such as Model No. 540 (U.S. Pat. No.4,281,899) sold by Industrie Koot BV (IKU) of Montfoort, Netherlands, asillustrated in FIG. 20. As is also conventional, the entire casing 34including actuator 42, 42′ is mounted via bracket 43 for breakawaymotion with respect to stationary panel 38 by a breakaway joint assembly44. Breakaway joint assembly 44 (FIG. 9) includes a stationary member 46attached to vehicle 40, a pivoting member 48 to which bracket 43 andcasing 34 are attached, and a wire-way 50 through which a wire cable 52passes. Wire cable 52 includes individual wires to supply controlsignals to actuator 42, 42′, as well as signals to control the level ofreflectivity, if reflective element 28 is of the variable reflectivitytype noted above, such as an electrochromic mirror. Power may also besupplied through cable 52 for a heater (not shown) as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,151,824 in order to evaporate ice and dew from reflectiveelement 28.

With reference to FIG. 5, actuator 42, 42′ receives a first set ofreversible voltage signals from a switch 54, in order to bidirectionallypivot in one axis, and a second set of reversible signals from a switch56, in order to bidirectionally pivot in the opposite axis, as isconventional. Switches 54 and 56 are actuated by a common actuator (notshown) that is linked so that only one of the switches 54 and 56 may beactuated at a time. In this manner, actuator 42, 42′ may utilize onecommon conductor for both switches 54, 56.

Each of the security light 30 and signal light 32 includes a lightsource 60 and reflector 62 behind a lens 64 (FIG. 8). Light source 60,reflector 62 and lens 64 are designed for security light 30 to project apattern 66 of light, such as white light, through a clear, non-filteringlens, in order to establish a security zone around the vehicle (FIGS.10-12). Pattern 66 extends rearward from mirror assembly 26. Vertically,pattern 66 contacts the ground at 68 in the vicinity of entry and exitby the vehicle occupants (FIGS. 10 and 12). Laterally, pattern 66 fansout into contact with the side 70 a, 70 b of the vehicle. This contactwashes the sides of the vehicle to reflect the light in order to furtherilluminate the area in order to establish the security lighting zone(FIGS. 11 and 12). In a preferred embodiment, pattern 66 extendsrearwardly from mirror assembly 26 without projecting any portion of thepattern forwardly of the mirror assembly.

Signal light 32 generates a light pattern 72, which is directedgenerally horizontally rearwardly of vehicle 40 (FIGS. 13-15). Pattern72 is laterally directed substantially away from side 70 a, 70 b ofvehicle 40 so that the driver of vehicle 40 does not directly interceptpattern 72, although a minor intensity (such as 10%) of the pattern isintercepted by the driver in order to provide awareness of the actuatingof the signal light. Pattern 72 fans laterally away from side 70 a, 70 bto an extent that is parallel the face of reflectance element 28, whichis substantially perpendicular to side 70 a, 70 b (FIG. 14). Thus, thedriver of another vehicle (not shown) passing vehicle 40 on the left orright side of vehicle 40 will intercept pattern 72 while the vehicle isbehind and beside vehicle 40. Although, in an illustrated embodiment,lens 64 of signal light 32 is substantially planar, lens 64 of signallight 32 could be made to wrap around the outward side of casing 34 inorder to function as a side marker for the vehicle as is required insome European countries.

Vehicle mirror assembly security system 25 is actuated by a controlsystem 74 (FIG. 5). Control system 74 includes means for actuatingsecurity light 30 including a remote transmitting device 76 and astationary receiving device 78. Transmitting device 76 may be remotelycarried by the vehicle operator and includes switches 80 and 81 in orderto actuate the transmitting circuitry to transmit a signal form antenna82, which is received by antenna 84 of receiving device 78. Receivingdevice 78 is mounted in the vehicle, such as in the vehicle trunkcompartment, and includes an output 86 in order to operate remote doorlock circuit 88, as is conventional. Output 86 is, additionally,provided as an input 90 of a lockout circuit 92, whose output 94 issupplied to security lamp 30. Input 90 may additionally be actuated by atimeout circuit 96, which is conventionally supplied in a vehicle inorder to dim the interior lights, following a slight delay, after theoccurrence of an event, such as the opening and closing of the doors ofthe vehicle. Signal light 32 is actuated on line 98 from either a turnindicator circuit 100 or a stop lamp indicator circuit 102, both ofwhich are conventionally supplied with vehicle 40.

In operation, when the operator actuates switch 80 of transmittingdevice 76, receiving device 78 produces a signal on output 86 in orderto cause remote door lock circuit 88 to unlock the doors. Alternatively,actuation of switch 81 on remote transmitting device 76 causes receivingdevice 78 to produce a signal on output 86 to cause remote door lockcircuit 88 to lock the vehicle doors. The signal on output 86 actuatessecurity lamp 30 provided that lockout circuit 92 does not inhibit thesignal. Lockout circuit 92 responds to operation of the vehicle in orderto avoid actuation of security lamp 30 when the vehicle is in motion.Such lockout circuits are conventional and may be responsive to placingof the vehicle transmission in gear of sensing of the speed of thevehicle, or the like. Security lamp 30 is also actuated, in response tointerior lighting device timeout circuit 96, whenever the interiorlights of the vehicle are being actuated by timeout circuit 96, providedthat lookout circuit 92 does not inhibit the signal from security lamp30. This is provided in order to allow security lamp 30 to be actuatedin response to the entry to, or exit from, vehicle 40 without theoperator utilizing transmitting device 76 to lock or unlock the doors.Signal lamp 32 is actuated in response to turn indicator circuit 100whenever the operator moves the indicator stick in the direction of thatparticular signal lamp 32. Signal lamp 32 may additionally be actuatedfrom stop lamp circuit 102 in response to the driver actuating thevehicle's brakes.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, lens 64 of signal lamp32 is adapted to filter the light provided from lamp 32 so as to be redand is provided for vehicles 40 in which the stop lamps and rear turnindicator lamps are, likewise, red. Because signal lamp 32 shines red,pattern 72 is restricted from extending forward of the vehicle. This isin order to comply with regulations prohibiting red lights from causingconfusion with emergency vehicles by shining forward of the vehicle.

For vehicles having red stoplights and amber turn indicators in therear, a vehicle mirror security assembly 25′ includes an exterior mirrorassembly 26′ and a control system 74′ (FIGS. 4 and 6). Exterior mirrorassembly 26′ includes a security light 30′, preferably white or clear,and a pair of signal lights 32 a′ and 32 b′. Signal light 32 a′ is amberand is actuated directly from turn indicator circuit 100′. This ambercolor can be provided either by an amber light bulb or source, or afiltering lens providing an amber color. Signal light 32 b′ is red andis actuated directly from stop lamp circuit 102′. Each of the lightpatterns generated by signal lights 32 a′ and 32 b′ substantiallycorrespond with light pattern 72. The light pattern generated bysecurity light 30′ is substantially equivalent to pattern 66. With theexception that turn signal indicator circuit 100′ actuates signal light32 a′ and stop lamp circuit 102′ actuates signal light 32 b′, controlsystem 74′ operates substantially identically with control circuit 74.

In the illustrated embodiment, light source 60, for both security light30 and signal light 32, may be supplied as a conventional incandescentor halogen lamp 60 a (FIG. 7). Alternatively, a conventionalincandescent fuse lamp 60 b may be used (FIG. 16). Alternatively, avacuum fluorescent lamp 60 c, which is available in various colors, maybe used (FIG. 17). Alternatively, a light emitting diode 60 d may beused (FIG. 18). As yet a further alternative, a fiber optic bundle 104forming a light pipe may be positioned to discharge light behind lens64. Fiber optic bundle 104 passes through breakaway joint 44 in wire-way50 in order to transmit light from a source (not shown) within vehicle40. By way of example, lens 64 may be supplied as a segmented lens, aprismatic lens, or a Fresnel lens in order to generate light patterns 66and 72. Bracket 43 and breakaway joint 44 are marketed by DonnellyCorporation of Holland, Mich. The remote actuator composed of remotetransmitting device 76 and stationary receiving device 78 may be radiofrequency coupled, as is conventional. Alternatively, they may beinfrared coupled as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,352.

Although the invention is illustrated in a mirror assembly utilizing anautomatic remote actuator, it may also be applied to manual remoteactuators and handset actuators. As previously set forth, reflectanceelement 28 may be conventional or may be supplied as an electrochromicself-dimming mirror. Although the invention is illustrated withbreakaway joint 44, the invention may also be applied to mirrors thatare rigidly mounted to the vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 21-23, the numeral 210 generally designates adriver's side exterior mirror assembly of the present invention, withthe numeral 210′ generally designating a passenger's side exteriormirror assembly of the present invention which is preferably a mirrorimage of driver's side exterior mirror assembly 210. Exterior rearviewmirror assembly 210 includes a mirror casing or housing 212, whichincludes a sail 213 that is adapted to mount on a vehicle, a reflectiveelement 214, which is supported in casing 212, and a signal light 216which is also supported in casing 212. Signal light 216 is adapted todirect light into the blind spot of the driver and, preferably, providesa light forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle so that vehiclesapproaching the vehicle may observe the signal light. Additionally,signal light 216 is adapted to project light laterally with respect tothe vehicle to provide a side light and so function as a side marker.Furthermore, it should be understood that light pattern 217 is generallycone shaped and may project above and below the horizontal planeextending through mirror assembly 210 similar to the illustration inFIG. 15 and preferably projects light above and below the horizontalplane by in a range of about 5° to about 25° and, more preferably, about15°. As will be more fully described, signal light 216 is preferablyadapted to direct the light in a light pattern 217 (with passenger sideexterior rearview mirror assembly 210′ having a mirror image lightpattern 217′), such that the light does not extend into the cabin of thevehicle to distract the driver of the vehicle. Furthermore, byprojecting light rearwardly, forwardly, and to the side of the vehicle,approaching vehicles, whether from the forward direction of the vehicleor from the rearward direction of the vehicle or vehicles that areentering the blind spot of the vehicle, can observe the signal light andhave advanced notice that the driver of the vehicle intends to make alane change or turn.

Rearview mirror assembly 210 may comprise a fixed position exteriorrearview mirror assembly or may comprise a break-away rearview mirrorassembly, which moves between a normal operating position, in which therearview mirror assembly is extended from the vehicle, to a foldedposition against the body of the vehicle when the exterior rearviewmirror assembly 210 is impacted with sufficient force. Reference is madeto the previous embodiment, exterior mirror assembly 26, for one exampleof a break-away rearview mirror assembly.

Casing 212 is cup shaped and includes a rearwardly facing opening 212 ain which reflective element 214 is supported. Casing 212 is preferablyinjection molded from a suitable plastic, such as nylon, acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS) or suitable resinous plastic, or the like, whichis commercially available under the trademark TERLURAN KR2889®, by BASFCompany of Wyandotte, Mich. Alternately, other resinous, meltprocessible plastics or moldable materials such as mineral-filled orglass filled nylon or polyester and polypropylene could be used to formcase 212. A suitable nylon is 13% glass modified nylon 6:6 sold as ZYTEL71G13L® by I.E. DuPont de Nemours & Company of Wilmington, Del., orPA123G13BK-47 by Bay Resins Inc. of Millington, Md. A suitablepolypropylene is TENITE P6M4Z-007® by Eastman Chemical Products, Inc.,Kingsport, Tenn. Alternately, casing 212 may comprise a fiber reinforcednylon plastic, thermoplastic, or polypropylene or other similarthermoplastic or thermoset materials.

As described above, reflective element 214 is supported in casing 212.As best seen in FIG. 24, reflective element 214 is mounted to a backingplate 214 a which is supported by a positioning device, such as anactuator 218, which provides adjustment for reflective element 214.Actuator 218 is supported on a mounting bracket 220, which in turn issecured to casing 212 on mounting bosses 222 provided on casing wall224. In the illustrated embodiment, actuator 218 comprises an electricalactuator, which pivots reflective element 214 in casing 212. Preferably,actuator 218 comprises dual axis positioning device that permitsadjustment of the position of the reflective element 214 and backingplate 214 a about both vertical and horizontal axes as is known in theart. It should be understood, however, other positioning devices may beused including manually operated actuators, a remote manually operatedactuators, such as a BODEN cable actuator, or the like.

Reflective mirror element 214 may comprise a conventional non-electrooptic planar or convex mirror element including a metallic reflectorcoated glass substrate, such as with a thin chromium or chromium alloyreflector coating, or a non-metallic reflector layer, such as a dichroiclayer as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,492 to Roberts et al. or areflector comprising a silicon reflective layer such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,535,056 to Caskey et al., which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entireties. Alternatively, reflective element 214may comprise a variable reflective electro optic element, such aselectrochromic mirror element comprising one of several types ofelectrochromic elements, for example an element of theelectrochemichromic type, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,455issued to Varaprasad et al., or may be of the solid state type such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,879 issued to Niall R. Lynam et al.,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/023,675, filed Feb. 22, 1993, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,002,511, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/238,521, filed Mar. 5, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,663, allcommonly assigned with the present application, the disclosures of whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Suchelectrochromic elements comprise an electrically responsiveelectrochromic medium that modulates reflectivity from a reflectiveelement. Such electrochromic mirror elements are continuously variableand exhibit multiple reflectant states as the voltage applied thereto isvaried. Alternately, reflective element 214 may comprise other electrooptic mirror elements such as a liquid crystal mirror and the like.Where reflective element 214 comprises an electrochromic mirror element,the electrochromic mirror element is preferably driven by signalsproduced by a variable reflectant system of the type disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/316,047, filed Sep. 30, 1994, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,659,423 which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

It should be understood, although not described herein, that one or moreelectrical or electronic components may be mounted in casing 212, suchas the interface transaction system described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/057,428, filed Apr. 8, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,655,and/or an electronic module, which may include one or more electrical orelectronic devices, such as antennas and circuitry for rain sensors,heating elements, and the like, as described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/702,228, which was filed Aug. 23, 1996, by Niall Lynam etal., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,475, and which are commonly assigned, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

As best seen in FIGS. 22 and 26, signal light 216 is positioned in alower portion or bottom rim of casing 212 and includes a lightconduiting member or light pipe 230 and a light source 232. The color ofthe light emitted from signal light 216 is preferably amber,yellow-amber, or amber-red, depending on its application and may begenerated by a boot or cover, a filter, a reflector which surrounds thelight source, the light source or the light pipe or a combination of oneor more of the aforementioned devices. For example, light source 232 mayproduce, for example an amber light from a coating on the light sourcebulb or from a gas enclosed in the bulb or from the light producingelement of the light source. In addition, signal light 216 preferablyproduces a light intensity of at least about 0.3 and in the range ofabout 0.3 to about 200 candela, more preferably, in a range of about 0.6to about 150 candela, and most preferably, in a range of about 1.0candela to about 25 candela, such that signal light 216 preferably meetsthe specification for the applicable automobile industry standards suchas Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) 5500; ECE Reg. 48; EEC No. 76/759;and/or E/ECE/324 Reg. No. 6. Moreover, signal light 216 may produce avariable light pattern intensity. For example, referring to FIG. 21, inthe region 217 c of light pattern 217 which is forward of transverseaxis 211 b, the light intensity may have one intensity value, while theregion 217 d rearward of transverse axis 211 b may include another lightintensity value. Furthermore, each region 217 c or 217 d may have avariable intensity pattern. For example, the portion of the region 217 cor 217 d nearest to axis 211 b may have a higher light intensity thanportions of the region 217 c or 217 d angled further away from axis 211b. In this manner, signal light 216 is visible to persons on the roadwho are approaching the vehicle from the forward or rearward directionor persons located adjacent the vehicle.

Light pipe 230 is preferably formed, such as by molding, from a plastic,such as polycarbonate, acrylic or the like, and is, therefore,substantially rigid. Alternately, light pipe 230 may comprise a flexiblebundle of individual fibers or an individual flexible fiber.Furthermore, light pipe 230 is adapted to transmit or direct light fromlight source 232 along a longitudinal axis 230 a of light pipe 230 andreflect the light from light source 232 as it extends through the lightpipe in directions generally lateral to the longitudinal axis 230 a oflight pipe 230, as will be more fully described below.

Referring to FIG. 26, light pipe 230 includes a first side 234, whichprovides a light emitting surface and is substantially planar, and anopposed side 236 which includes a plurality of faceted surfaces 238.Faceted surfaces 238 provide internal light reflecting surfaces and havea stepped configuration, with the cross-section of light pipe 230 beingincrementally reduced from a first end or approximate end 240 to asecond end or distal end 242. Light pipe 230 is preferably positioned incasing 212 such that first end 240 is positioned closer to the vehiclethan second end 242 and such that first side 234 is oriented facingoutwardly from casing 212. Moreover, light pipe 230 is preferablypositioned in casing 212 with minimal protrusion into the slipstream ofthe mirror assembly so as to reduce the aerodynamic drag and, mostpreferably, with first side 234 substantially flush with the outersurface of the lower portion or bottom rim of casing 212. First end 240is substantially planar and generally orthogonal to first side 234 anddefines a light input surface 244. Light source 232 is positionedadjacent light input surface 244 and preferably in substantially closeproximity to light input surface 244 so that a high percentage, if notall, light emitted from light source 232 is directed into light pipe230. Optionally, light source 232 may be optically coupled to lightinput surface 244 by, for example, an optical adhesive.

As described above, first side 234 of light pipe 230 provides lightemitting surface 245, through which light from light source 232 isemitted. Again referring to FIG. 26, when light enters light pipe 230through light input surface 244, the light rays are internally reflectedoff faceted surfaces 238 and, some of which, are internally reflectedoff planar surface 234 a of first side 234 so that the light from lightsource 232 is directed laterally through first side 234 and throughlight emitting surface 245 in directions which are angled with respectto first side 234. In preferred form, the light pattern emitted lightpipe 230 includes a plurality of light regions which are angled awayfrom the side of the vehicle to restrict the light from entering intothe vehicle. In this manner, light pipe 230 transmits or conduits thelight from light source 232. It should be understood that the geometryof light pipe 230 permits light pipe 230 to direct light in a mannerthat relies on internal reflections within light pipe 230; therefore, noreflective coatings are necessary. Consequently, light pipe 230 iseasier and less costly to manufacture. However, it can be appreciatedthat faceted surfaces 238 may include reflective coatings, such asformed by vacuum metalizing.

As best seen in FIG. 24, light pipe 230 is mounted between a lower orbottom wall portion 224 a of casing wall 224 and a flange 246 whichextends from a back wall portion 224 b of casing wall 224. Similarly,light source 232 is supported between flange 246 and lower portion 224 aof casing wall 224 and is positioned adjacent first end 240 of lightpipe 230, as described above. It should be understood from theforegoing, that reflective element 214 is independently mounted fromlight pipe 230 and, therefore, can move independently from light pipe230, which is preferably mounted in a fixed position in casing 212.

Optionally, signal light 216 includes a second light pipe 250. Lightpipe 250 is a similar construction to light pipe 230, except that lightpipe 250 includes a curved outer surface 252 which follows the curvatureof casing 212 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 and which defines a lightemitting surface. Light pipe 250 includes a first or approximate end254, which provides a light input surface, and a second or distal end256. As best seen in FIG. 23, light pipe 250 wraps around casing 212 topermit light to be reflected generally laterally from exterior rearviewassembly 210 to provide a side signal or side marker to cars which arepositioned in the blind spot of the vehicle. A second light source 258is positioned adjacent first end 254 so that light which is emitted fromlight source 258 is directed along the longitudinal axis 250 a of lightpipe 250 and laterally with respect to longitudinal axis 250 a in asimilar manner to light pipe 230.

Preferably, light pipes 230 and 250 direct light in light pattern 217,shown in FIG. 21. Light pattern 217 is defined between leading edges 217a and 217 b, wherein leading edge 217 a forms an angle α with respect tothe vehicle axis 211 a of vehicle 211, as measured in a counterclock-wise direction, and leading edge 217 b forms an angle β withrespect to vehicle axis 211 a as measured in a clock-wise direction.These angles vary depending upon the applicable guidelines orspecifications of the country in which the vehicle is sold. For example,α may be in a range of about 0° to about 45°. β may be in a range ofabout 0° to about 15°. In some countries, α may be in a range of about0° to about 40°, and β may be in a range of about 0° to about 5°.

Light sources 232 and 258 are preferably energized by power lines 260which extend through flange 246 so that they can be bundled along withother power or communication lines which extend from exterior mirrorcasing 212 to the interior of the vehicle to couple light sources 232and 258 to the electrical system of the vehicle. Light sources 232 and258 may comprise a laser diode, a solid state emitter such as a lightemitting diode, an incandescent light source, a fluorescent lightsource, such as a cold cathode fluorescent light, a phosphorous lamp, aneon light, a discharge lamp, an arc lamp, and an electro-luminescentlight, including inorganic or organic electro-luminescent sources.

Optionally, two or more of such light sources may be incorporated intoexterior mirror assembly 210 for directing light into the respectivelight input surfaces 244 and 256 of light pipes 230 and 250,respectively. Furthermore, a plurality of light emitting sources may begrouped to provide a more intense illumination. As described above, avariety of emitting sources may be used as light emitting sources 232and 258, including but not limited to a very high intensity amber andreddish-orange light emitting diode (LED) sources, such as solid statelight emitting diode sources utilizing double hetero-junctionAlGaAs/GaAs Material Technology, such as very high intensity LED lampT-1¾(5 mm) HLMT-4100/4101, available from Hewlett Packard Corporation,Palo Alto, Calif., for which used transparent substrate aluminum indiumgallium phosphide (AlInGaB) Material Technology, commercially availablefrom Hewlett Packard Corporation under the designation T-1¾ (5 mm)HLMT-DL00, HLMT-CH00, HLMT-CL00, HLMT-CH15, HLMT-DH00 or which useInGaAlB Material Technology available from Toshiba Corporation ofLaythem, N.Y. such as under the designation TLRH180D. Light emittancecolors provided by such solid state sources include orange, yellow,amber, and reddish-orange, preferably without the need for ancillaryfilters. The preferred solid state light emitting diodes operate at 25°C., or thereabouts, and operate with a forward voltage of about 2 voltsto about 5 volts; have a luminance intensity (measured at peak of thespacial radiation pattern which may not be aligned with a mechanicalaccess of the source package) of a minimum at 20 mA current of about 500to about 5,000 lcd (typically about 700 to about 7,000 mcd); operated ata forward current of about 20 mA to about 50 mA; emit with a dominantwave length (CIE Chromaticity diagram) of about 530 nm to about 60 nm;and have a viewing angle to θ½, where θ½ is the off axis angle where theluminance intensity is ½ the peak intensity of about 5° to about 25°.

Alternately, vacuum fluorescent sources such as 12-volt battery drivenhigh luminescent vacuum fluorescent sources may be used. It may also beadvantageous to use sources which operate efficiently at about 12 voltsor lower since these voltages are particularly suited to conventionalmotor vehicle electrical systems. Also, ultra-high luminescent vacuumfluorescent sources such as those suitable for head set displayapplications in motor vehicles may be used with appropriate circuitry.

Alternately, non-LED non-incandescent light emitting sources can be usedsuch as electro-luminescent sources or semiconductor laser sources.Electro-luminescent sources may be either inorganic or organicelectro-luminescent sources. Light emitting sources 232 and 258,preferably have well defined light patterns, such as a cone of directedlight which eliminates the need for reflectors or other separate opticalcomponents that direct the light where desired. In addition, lightemitting sources 232 and 258 are preferably mounted on or within mirrorcasing 212 as described previously. Alternately, light sources 232 and258 may be in the form of a light pipe which directs light from a remotelight source located in the vehicle. Such a light pipe may comprise, forexample a flexible light pipe such as a fiber optic cable. In whichcase, the distal end of the fiber optic cable is positioned adjacent therespective light input surfaces 244 and 256 of light pipes 230 and 250.

In the event that the light emitting source comprises a light emittingdiode, a resistor is preferably connected in series with a respectivelight emitting diode to act as a voltage divider so as to reduce theignition voltage of the vehicle, which is in the range of 9-16 volts(normally 12 volts), for the desired operating voltage of the lightemitting diode, which is typically on the order of about one volt toabout five volts. Each resistor preferably has a resistance of less thanabout 1,500 ohms and greater than about 100 ohms, more preferably, lessthan about 1,000 ohms and greater than about 200 ohms.

Although illustrated herein as being located along the bottom rim of theexterior trim housing, other locations are possible for the signal lightof the invention, including the top and outboard rim of the exteriorhousing, and even elsewhere on the exterior vehicle body as appropriate.

Referring to FIGS. 27-29, a second embodiment 310 of the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated.Exterior rearview mirror assembly 310 includes a housing or casing 312in which a reflective element 314 is supported. In addition, exteriorrearview mirror assembly 310 includes a signal light and, preferably, asignal light 316 which provides a light pattern similar to light pattern217 described in reference to the first embodiment and is supported bycasing 312 which will be further described below.

Reflective element 314 is mounted to a backing plate 314 a, which issupported on a positioning device or actuator 318, which in turn ismounted to a mounting bracket 320. In the illustrated embodiment,mounting bracket 320 is supported by mounting bosses 322 provided oncasing wall 324 of casing 312. It should be understood, that reflectiveelement 314, therefore, can move independently of the signal light 316,which is preferably mounted in a fixed position relative to casing 312.However, other mounting arrangement may be used for reflective element314 and for the exterior rearview assembly, including a fixed positionexterior rearview mirror assembly or a mounting arrangement in whichmounting bracket is rotatably coupled to a vehicle mounting bracket toprovide a break-away function of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.In a break-away exterior mirror assembly, signal light 316 is preferablymounted to move with the casing and, therefore, remains fixed relativeto the casing.

As best seen in FIG. 27, signal light 316 is mounted to a bottom wallportion 326 of casing wall 324. Bottom wall portion 326 of casing wall324 includes a stop or an abutment 328 against which signal light 316abuts when mounted to casing 312. Signal light 316 is preferably mountedto casing 312 by for example fasteners, such as threaded fasteners,keys, or projecting pins with enlarged heads which provide a snap-fitcoupling between signal light 316 and bottom wall 326. Alternately,signal light 316 may include tracks or guides and with casing 312including a corresponding guide or track so that signal light 316 can beinserted between the respective guides, or tracks. Furthermore, signallight 316 includes a lower most surface 316 a which preferably alignsand, more preferably, is flush with the lower most surface 328 a of stop328 so that when installed, signal light 316 follows the aerodynamiccontours of casing 312 to provide an aerodynamically contoured exteriorrearview mirror assembly 310.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, signal light 316 includes a housing 330which includes a cover 331 and a base 332. Base 332 includes a mountingportion and a raised or projecting portion 333 which defines a mountingsurface 334. Housing 330 is preferably plastic, such as nylon, a meltprocessible plastic, including for example polycarbonate, acrylic, orthe like and, additionally, matches the color of casing 312. Cover 331,which is preferably a clear plastic cover, extends over base 332 and issecured thereto using conventional means, including for examplereleasable couplers, including threaded fasteners, snap-fit couplers orthe like, or by welding, such as sonic welding, heat staking or thelike, or by an adhesive. Cover 331 defines a cavity or space 332 abetween base 332 and cover 331. Base 332 supports a light source 342,which is housed in cavity 332 a, and a light reflecting member 335 whichis preferably mounted to mounting surface 334 for reflecting light fromlight source 342 outwardly from signal light 316. Light reflectingmember 335 preferably comprises a multi-faceted reflector having acompound shape and includes a plurality of reflector elements 336, 338,and 340. Each reflector elements 336, 338, and 340 may comprise a metalreflector, such as a stamped aluminum reflector, a polished metalreflector, a painted/coated printed surface with a high specular and/ordiffused paint, film, tape, coating, or the like, a vacuum metalizedsubstrate, such as vacuum metalized glass or plastic, a metalized orreflective mineral filled substrate, such as a mineral filled plasticsubstrate, a reflective metal filled substrate, such as a metal filledplastic, or the like. Each of the respective reflective elements 336,338, and 340 may have a concave, a convex, or planar surface, or amultiradius surface such as an anamorphic asphere shape.

Preferably light source 342 is positioned adjacent reflector element 336and sufficiently spaced from reflector element 336 such that the lightemitted from light source 342 reflects off reflector elements 336, 338,and 440 to provide a pattern as shown in FIG. 28. Light source 342 maycomprise a bulb, a diode, or the like, and is powered through wiring 343which extends from signal light 316 to casing 312, for example by way ofan opening 330 a provided in base portion 332 of housing 330.Optionally, light source 342 may comprise a light pipe (not shown) whichdelivers or directs light from a remote light source in the vehicle in asimilar manner as described in reference to the previous embodiment.

As described above, cover 331 may be integrally molded with base portion332. In this manner, light source 342 may be inserted into cavity 332 athrough opening 330 a of base 332. Furthermore, cavity 332 a may bereduced such that cavity 332 a comprises a light source receivingsocket. In addition, signal light 316 may include a light conduitingmember, such as described in reference to signal light 216 or signallight 416, positioned in cavity or space 332 a to further enhance thedirection of light emitted from light source 342.

Referring to FIG. 28, signal light 316 emits light in a light pattern344, which is defined between leading edges 346 and 348. When mounted tocasing 312, light pattern 344 directs light forwardly and rearwardly ofthe vehicle and to the side of the vehicle but away from the cabin ofthe vehicle so as to avoid contact with the driver's eyes similar tolight pattern 217 in FIG. 21.

As best seen in FIG. 27, cover or lens 331 extends over housing 330 froma first end or approximate end 352 to a second or distal end 354. Forfurther details of light source 342, reference is made to thedescription of light sources 232 and 258 as described in reference tothe first embodiment. Preferably, cover 331 includes a neutral spectracontent and comprises a plastic lens, such as a polycarbonate lens.Furthermore, cover 331 may be a prescription lens such as, a fresnellens, including a micro fresnel lens, a diffusive optic lens, adiffractive optic lens, a refractive optic lens, a reflective opticlens, a holographic optic lens, a binary optic lens, a clear optic lens,a prismatic lens, a pillow lens, and a sinusoidal optic lens, or thelike. In which case, the color of the light from signal light 316 may beintroduced by light source 342, a boot or cover over light source 342, afilter, or reflector 335. Similar to as described in reference to lightsources 232 and 258, signal light 316 may emit an amber, yellow-amber,or red-amber light. Furthermore, cover 331 may optionally blend with thecolor of casing 312, with signal light 316 still emitting an amber,amber-yellow or red-amber light. Alternately, the color of the light maybe generated by cover 331 or a combination of any one or more of theaforementioned devices.

Preferably, signal light 316 produces a light intensity in the range ofabout 0.3 to about 200 candela, more preferably, in a range of about 0.6to about 150 candela, and most preferably, in a range of about 1.0 toabout 100 candela, such that signal light 316 preferably meets theapplicable specifications for the automobile industry, as described inthe previous embodiment. In this manner, signal light 316 is visible topersons on the road who are oncoming or approaching the vehicle from therearward direction. Furthermore, signal light 316 preferably extends tothe outer most portion and wraps around the bottom wall 326 of casing312 so that light emitted from signal light 316 is visible from the sideof the vehicle, and vehicles which are in the vehicle's blind spot canclearly see the signal light when actuated.

Preferably, signal light 316 is a unitary module or modular turn signalwhich can be easily serviced and/or replaced in its entirety.Furthermore, signal light 316 is preferably at least substantially waterimpervious and optionally may include a socket or electrical connectionto the vehicle electrical wiring system. In addition, as described inreference to the previous embodiment, signal light 316 may incorporate acircuit board for flexible circuitry, which couples to the electricalsystem of the vehicle for powering light source 342.

Referring to FIGS. 30-31, the numeral 410 designates a third embodimentof the exterior rearview assembly of the present invention. Exteriorrearview assembly 410 includes a mirror casing or housing 412, whichincludes a sail 413 which is adapted to mount on a vehicle, a reflectiveelement 414 which is supported in housing 412, and a signal light 416which is also supported in housing 412. Signal light 416 is adapted todirect light forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle so that vehiclesapproaching from the opposite direction of the vehicle and rearwardly ofthe vehicle may observe signal light 416. Additionally, signal light 416is adapted to project light laterally with respect to the vehicle toprovide a side light and so function as a side marker. Similar toexterior mirror assembly 210, signal light 416 is preferably adapted todirect the signal light in a light pattern 417 such that the light doesnot extend into the cabin of the vehicle to distract the driver of thevehicle. Furthermore, by projecting light rearwardly, forwardly andlaterally from the side of the vehicle, approaching vehicles, whetherfrom the forward direction of the vehicle or from the rearward directionof the vehicle or vehicles that are entering the blind spot of thevehicle, can observe the signal light and have advanced notice if thedriver of the vehicle intends to make a lane change or turn.

Rearview mirror assembly 410 may comprise a fixed position exteriorrearview mirror assembly or may comprise a break-away rearview mirrorassembly, which moves between normal operating position in which therearview mirror assembly is extended from the vehicle to a foldedposition against the body of the vehicle and the exterior rearviewmirror assembly 410 is impacted with sufficient force. Examples ofbreak-away rearview mirror assemblies are well known and reference ismade to the first embodiment of the exterior rearview mirror assemblyfor at least one example such a break-away assembly.

Housing 412 is generally cup-shaped and includes a rearwardly facingopening 412 a in which reflective element 414 is supported. Reference ismade to exterior rearview mirror assembly 210 for examples of preferredmaterial for housing 412. As described above, reflective element 414 issupported in housing 412. Preferably, reflective element 414 is mountedon a backing plate 414 a, which in turn is supported by a positioningdevice, for example an electrical actuator or the like. Again, referenceis made to the exterior rearview mirror assembly 210 for an example ofhow reflective element 414 is supported in housing 412. Furthermore,reference is made to exterior rearview mirror assembly 210 for examplesof preferred reflective elements and for examples of other componentswhich may be mounted or housed in exterior rearview mirror assembly 410.

As best seen in FIGS. 30 and 31, signal light 416 is preferablypositioned in a lower portion or bottom rim of casing 412 and includes alight conduiting member or light pipe 430 and a plurality of lightsources 432. As described in reference to the previous embodiments, thelight emitted from the signal light 416 is preferably yellow, amber,yellow-amber, or amber-red depending on its application. Again,reference is made to the earlier embodiments for examples of how thecolor is generated. Light pipe 430 is preferably formed, such as bymolding, from a plastic material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic orthe like, and is, therefore, substantially rigid. As best seen in FIG.31, light pipe 430 includes a plurality of light transmitting orconduiting portions 430 a, which are spaced and arranged in a generallyradial fashion. Each light transmitting or conduiting portion 430 aincludes a leading edge 434, which defines a light input surface.Furthermore, each light transmitting or conduiting portion 430 aincludes a distal surface or outboard edge 436 which defines a lightemitting surface which is preferably arranged or formed, to follow thecontour of exterior mirror housing 412. In addition, each lighttransmitting or conduiting portion 430 a includes side walls 438 and440, which extend from light input surface 434 outwardly toward lightemitting surface 436 which define radially extending grooves or channelsin light conduiting member 430. As best seen in FIG. 31, side walls 438and 440 preferably terminate before reaching light emitting surface 436.Alternately, one or more light conduiting portions may includerespective side walls 438 and 440 that extend from their respectivelight input surfaces 434 to their respective light emitting surfaces436. In this manner, light pipe 430 comprises a plurality of discretelight transmitting or conduiting portions rather than a unitary lightconduiting or transmitting member.

Light sources 432 are positioned and, preferably, optically coupled tolight input surfaces 434 of each respective light transmitting orconduiting portion 430 a. Referring to FIGS. 31A and 31B, in theillustrated embodiment, light sources 432 comprise surface lightemitting diodes (LED's) and preferably comprise a flat rectangular wafer432 a with a projecting emitter 432 b, which are commercially availablefrom the Piranha line of Hewlett Packard. In preferred form, each lightinput surface 434 includes a recess and, more preferably, a cylindricalgroove 434 a for receiving the respective light emitting portion 432 bof the light source 432. In this manner, the light emitters 432 b of therespective LED's may achieve good optical coupling with light inputsurfaces 434. Alternatively, each of the respective light input surfaces434 of light transmitting conduiting portions 430 a may include asemi-spherical recess for receiving the respective light emitters of thelight sources 432, which will maximize the optical coupling betweenlight sources 432 and light conduiting portions. However, semi-sphericalrecesses are harder to tool and to assembly.

Light input surfaces 434 of each light transmitting or conduitingportion 430 a are generally parallel or only slightly angled withrespect to its respective light emitting surface 436 such that the lightemitted from the respective light source 432 will project outwardly fromlight emitting surface with minimal reflection inwardly from the lightemitting surface. Furthermore, sides 438 and 440 are angled with respectto light input surface 434 such that light from light source 432 isinternally reflected and redirected outwardly from light emittingsurface 436. In so doing, light pipe 430 optimizes the internalreflection of each light transmitting or conduiting portion 430 a toefficiently direct the light emitted from light source 432, which tendsto project light in a cone shape light pattern, outwardly through lightemitting surface 436.

Signal light 416 preferably comprises a module which is preferablyremovably inserted into a slotted opening or recess 412 b formed inhousing 412 of exterior rearview mirror assembly 410. Preferably, signallight 416 includes a lower housing portion 442 and an upper housingportion or cover 444. Upper housing portion 444 may be secured to lowerhousing portion 442 by conventional fasteners, for example fasteners,including screws, snap-fit couplers, or the like, such that lightsources 432 are serviceable, or may be welded or adhered to housing 442,for example by sonic welding, heat staking, or an adhesive, so thatsignal light 416 can be replaced as a unit. Light conduiting member 430is positioned in lower housing portion 442 and is preferably integrallymolded with housing portion 442 such that light emitting surface orsurfaces 436 of light pipe 430 form a portion of the outer perimeterwall 446. However, it should be understood that light conduiting member430 may be separately formed from housing portion 442 and, instead,inserted into housing and positioned such that light emitting surface orsurfaces 436 is optically coupled to perimeter wall 446.

In preferred form, lower housing portion 442 is formed or molded from aclear plastic, including for example polycarbonate, acrylic, or thelike. In contrast, upper housing portion 444 may comprise any suitableplastic, for example a melt-processible plastic or moldable material,such as described in reference to casing 212. Furthermore, upper housingportion 444 may be opaque.

Each of the respective light sources 432 includes electrical wiring 447,which extends through housing 442 and through an opening 448 provided inperimeter wall 446 of housing 442. Optionally, perimeter wall 448 mayinclude an electrical outlet or plug to which the electrical wiring iscoupled for coupling to the electrical system of the vehicle. Inaddition, light sources 432 may be coupled to and powered by a circuitboard mounted in housing 442, which is electrically coupled to theelectrical system of the vehicle. Furthermore, light sources 432 may bepowered by flexible circuitry, which is electrically coupled to theelectrical system of the vehicle, or any other suitable conventionalpower supply system. Alternately, each individual wire may project fromhousing 442 for individually coupling to the electrical system of thevehicle.

As best seen in FIG. 31, upper housing portion 444 includes one or moreretaining clips 450 for securing to a corresponding structure providedin housing 412. In the illustrated embodiment, retaining members 450comprises conventional bayonet or snap type couplers, but it should beunderstood that other couplers, such as threaded fasteners, or the like,may be used. As described in preferred form, light conduiting ortransmitting portions 430 a rely on internal reflections of the lightemitted from light sources 432 to transmit or conduit the light fromlight source to light emitting surfaces 436. In this manner, lightconduiting member 430 is easy to manufacture and assembly and relies onthe geometry of the light input surfaces and side walls in order toproduce an effective signal light 416 rather than reflections fromreflective surfaces. However, it should be understood, that side walls438 and 440 may include reflective surfaces, such as vacuum metalizedsurfaces or the like. However, this would entail additionalmanufacturing steps and require more careful handling of the articleand, consequently, would increase the cost of the signal light 416.

Referring to FIG. 32A, signal light 416′ may include bulb shaped lightsources 432′. In a similar manner to signal light 416, light inputsurfaces 434′ of light conduiting members 430′ may include recessedportions 434 a′ for receiving the respective bulb shaped light emitters432′.

As best seen in FIG. 32B, a third embodiment 416″ of signal lightincludes a single light source 432″ such as a conventional light bulb toemit light for input into the respective light input surfaces 434″ ofeach respective light conduiting portion 430 a″ of light pipe 430″.

It should be understood from the foregoing, that light pipes 430, 430′,and 430″ are formed with respective side walls 438 and 440, 438′ and440′, and 438″ and 440″ to guide the light from the respective lightsource or light sources 432, 432′, 432″, to the outboard edge 431, 431′,431″ of light pipe 430 to form a signal light which directs lightrearwardly, laterally, and forwardly of the vehicle. Whether light pipes430, 430′, 430″ are formed as a single unit with a plurality of lighttransmitting or conduiting portions 430 a, 430 a′, 430 a″, or as acollection of discrete light transmitting or conduiting portions, inwhich case discrete regions of light will be produced, signal lights416, 416′, and 416″ provide simple and inexpensive light assemblieswhich are easy to manufacture and install.

It should be understood that should it be desired to vary the intensityof the signal lights so they are brightest during high ambient lightingconditions, such as on a sunny day, but so that they are dimmer whenambient conditions are lower, such as at night, the intensity of thesignal lights can be modulated using a photosensor such as aphotoresistor, photodiode, phototransistor, or their like. A photosensorthat controls the intensity of the signal light so that it reduces itsintensity during low ambient light driving conditions, such as by pulsewidth modulation on the electrical line powering the LEDs in the signallight, may be mounted integrally with the signal light module itself, orit may be part of the vehicle electronics itself, such as a photosensormounted as a part of an automatic electrochromic mirror circuit, as partof a vehicle automatic headlamp activation circuit, as part of aheadlamp daylight running light control circuit, or their like.

Referring to FIGS. 33-37, the numeral 510 designates a fourth embodimentof the exterior rearview assembly of the present invention. Exteriorrearview assembly 510 comprises a powerfold exterior rearview mirrorassembly and includes a housing or casing 512 in which a reflectiveelement 514 is supported. Reflective element 514 is optionally supportedin casing 512 in a similar manner to that described in reference to theearlier embodiment and, therefore, reference is made therein for furthermounting details and, additionally, for examples of reflective elementswhich can be employed. In preferred form, exterior rearview assembly 510includes a “powerfold” mechanism that is typically operated andactuatable/deactuatable from within the vehicle cabin either by a useroperator switch or by a speed sensor that folds the mirror out when apredetermined vehicle velocity is sensed and that upon activation by thedriver causes a folding portion 510 a of exterior mirror assembly 510,for example casing 512, to fold or move or pivot about a fold-away axis511 on a non-folding portion 510 b of exterior mirror assembly 510, forexample a mounting bracket or the like, from its normally extendedviewing position wherein mirror assembly 510 provides a field of view toa compact folded position wherein the rearwardly facing side of thefolding portion is disposed generally parallel to the vehicle body(FIGS. 34 and 35). “Powerfold” exterior rearview mirrors areconventional and, therefore, the specific details of the “powerfold”mechanisms are omitted herein. In many European countries, “powerfold”exterior rearview mirror assemblies are used during parking to reducethe width of the vehicle.

In addition, exterior rearview mirror assembly 510 includes a securitylight and, preferably, a self-contained, unitary security light module516 which in the illustrated embodiment is mounted to folding portion510 a of mirror assembly 510 on a bottom wall portion 526 of casing wall512 a (FIG. 36). Security light 516 is preferably of similarconstruction to unitary light module 200 described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/687,628, filed on Jul. 26, 1996, now U.S. Pat.No. 5,823,654, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Securitylight 516 includes a housing 518, in which a light source 520 andreflector 522 are supported, and a cover or lens 524. Housing 518 ispreferably a plastic material, such as polycarbonate, polyester, nylon,acetal, polypropylene or ABS. Cover 524 is optionally welded to housing518, for example by sonic welding, heat staking or the like, oradhesively attached by an adhesive. Reflector 520 may comprise, forexample a polished metal substrate, a vacuum metalized substrate, or ametal filled substrate. As best seen in FIG. 33-37, reflector 520 andlens 524 are adapted to direct light in a light pattern 517. For furtherdetails of the components of security light 516, reference is made tothe above incorporated U.S. patent application. As described in thereferenced application, security light 516 is adapted to direct lightgenerally rearwardly of the vehicle and to fan out laterally from thevehicle to provide a lighted security zone near or adjacent the vehicle.Furthermore, security light 516 is preferably mounted in orsubstantially incorporated to casing 512 with minimal protrusion fromcasing 512 into the slipstream such that security light 516 does not addto the aerodynamic drag of mirror assembly 510 and, most preferably,with lens 524 substantially flush with the outer surface of casing 512.Moreover, in preferred form, at least security light 516 or light source520 is serviceable.

As best seen in FIGS. 34 and 35, security light 516 may be optionallyrotationally mounted in casing 512 such that when folding portion 510 aof exterior rearview mirror assembly 510 is moved to its compact foldedposition, security light 516 remains in the same orientation withrespect to the vehicle such that the light pattern 517 which isprojected from security light 516 remains substantially unchangeddespite the repositioning of exterior rearview mirror assembly 510. Inother words, security light 516 remains stationary with respect tovehicle V but rotates in casing 512 when exterior mirror assembly 510moves to its folded position.

Referring to FIG. 36, security light 516 is mounted in an opening 512 bin casing wall 512 a. Security light 516 is mounted in opening 512 b bya rotatable sleeve or bushing 530 so that security light 516 isrotatable about its axis 516 a. In this manner, security light 512 ismovably or rotatably mounted in casing 512. Preferably, exterior mirrorassembly 510 includes an actuator or driver 528 such as a gear or othersuitable mechanism, including a servo-motor driver, a belt, a cylinder,including a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, or the like, whichrepositions or rotates security light 516 about axis 516 a to maintainlight pattern 517 in a generally fixed position with respect to thevehicle. As best seen in FIG. 36, gear 528 may engage threads 518 aformed on a lower portion of or a threaded collar mounted to housing518.

Furthermore, exterior rearview mirror assembly 510 may also include abreak-away mounting which permits the exterior mirror assembly to foldto a break-away position upon impact. Both of the powerfold andbreak-away features are commonly known in the mirror art.

Alternately, security light 516 may be mounted in folding portion 510 ain a fixed position; in which case, when folding portion 510 a moves toits folded position, security light 516 remains stationary with respectto folding portion 510 a but moves with respect to the vehicle. In thisembodiment, therefore, security light 516 is preferably oriented suchthat it projects light to provide a security zone when folding portion510 a is in its folded position, and preferably one that washes the sideof the vehicle and that provides adequate ground illumination (anaverage of at least one lux ground illumination intensity desired, atleast five lux preferred) at the front and rear entrances/exits of thevehicle where occupants may enter/exit the cabin. Typically, when adriver of a vehicle with a powerfold exterior mirror approaches thevehicle, the powerfold exterior mirror assembly is in its foldedposition and does not move to its extended position until the driver isalready in the car with the ignition on. However, where the driver ofthe vehicle uses a remote control for actuating the powerfold exteriormirror assembly as the driver approaches the vehicle, the firstembodiment of the powerfold exterior mirror assembly may be preferred sothat if the folding portion of the mirror assembly is in its extendedbefore the driver enters the vehicle, then the security light willprovide a lighted security zone adjacent the vehicle which washes theside of vehicle and provides ground illumination at the cabin entrancesregardless of the position of the folded portion of the mirror assembly.

Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include aproximity sensor 540 mounted on casing 512 which is electrically coupledto the powerfold control system (not shown). Proximity sensor 540actuates the powerfold function upon detection of an object, such asanother vehicle or wall, or the like. Furthermore, proximity detector540 may be coupled with the light module control circuitry (not shown)so that when the powerfold function is actuated by the detection of anobject, security light 516 will be similarly actuated to rotate withrespect to casing 512 to maintain light pattern 517 for the securityzone in substantially the same orientation.

Referring to FIG. 38, a fifth embodiment 610 of the exterior rearviewmirror assembly is illustrated. Exterior rearview mirror assembly 610 isof similar construction to exterior rearview mirror assembly 510 andalso comprises a powerfold mirror assembly. Assembly 610 includes afolding portion 610 a, which houses a reflective element 614, andnon-folding portion 610 b, which is adapted to fixedly mount to thevehicle body. Powerfold mirror assembly 610 is typically operated andactuatable/deactuatable from within the vehicle cabin either by a useroperator switch or by a speed sensor as described in reference to theprevious embodiment. In preferred form, upon activation by the driver(or by the speed sensor), folding portion 610 a pivots or folds about afold-away axis 611 on non-folding portion 610 b from its normalextended, viewing position to a folded position wherein the rearwardlyfacing side of exterior mirror assembly 610 is disposed generallyparallel to the side of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, a security light 616 is mounted in non-foldingportion 610 b of assembly 610. Security light 616 is of similarconstruction to security light 516 and, therefore, reference is made tothe previous embodiment for further details thereof. In this manner,when folding portion 610 a is moved between its extended position andits folded position, security light 616 will provide a lighted securityzone adjacent the vehicle which washes the side of vehicle and providesground illumination at the cabin entrances regardless of the position ofthe folded portion of the mirror assembly. Therefore, pattern of light617 projected by light module 616 remains generally stationary withrespect to the vehicle and is unaffected by the repositioning of foldingportion 610 a of assembly 610.

Furthermore, as described in reference to the previous embodiments,reflective element 614 may comprise an adjustable reflective element;for example, assembly 610 may include a manual actuator or an electricalactuator or the like, as should be understood by those skilled in theart. Moreover, movement of reflective element 614 is independent of thesecurity light 616 as security light 616 is mounted or supportedindependently of reflective element 614 to assembly 610.

As best seen in FIG. 38, security light 616 is preferably substantiallyincorporated at non-folding portion 610 b and aerodynamically locatedinto fixed portion 610 b. Preferably, security light 616 is incorporatedinto exterior mirror assembly 610 with minimum protrusion into theslipstream of the mirror assembly. In this manner, security light 616does not significantly impact and, preferably, does not add to theaerodynamic drag of exterior mirror assembly 610. Most preferably,security light 616 is located into fixed portion 610 b with its securitylight lens 624 substantially flush with the outer surface 620 of foldingportion 610 b. Furthermore, in preferred form at least security light616, or its light source 620, is serviceable.

With regard to embodiments of this present invention that utilize asecurity light module incorporated in a powerfold exterior mirrorassembly where the security light is located in the folding portion ofthe powerfold assembly, the optical design of the light module can besuch that a pattern of ground illumination is provided, such as isillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, and where the side of the vehicle andthe entrances/exits of the cabin are well illuminated, when the foldingportion of the powerfold assembly is retracted and folded to the side ofthe vehicle body. Alternately, the preferred patterns of FIGS. 11 and 12can be realized when the folding portion is extended to its outward,non-retracted position. In this regard, it is optionally desirable thatthe folding portion, if retracted and folded to the vehicle body whenthe driver approaches the vehicle from a distance, can be remotelyunfolded such as by providing a button on a hand held transmitter (suchas a keyfob, commonly provided to vehicle owners today for remotelock/unlock of vehicle doors) which, when actuated, transmits a signal,preferably a radio frequency (RF) signal or an infrared (IR) signal, toa receiver in the vehicle of which, upon receipt of the remote command,causes the powerfold assembly to unfold and move its folding portion tothe fully extended, normal driving, unfolded position. Simultaneously,the security light can be activated so that when the powerfold unitunfolds, the signal light therein illuminates, and with both featuresbeing actuated by remote actuation from a distance. Such feature orfeatures can be locked out, as described previously, to avoidinadvertent operation when the vehicle is in motion.

Referring to FIGS. 39-41B a sixth embodiment of an exterior rearviewmirror assembly 710 is illustrated. Exterior rearview mirror assembly710 is a foldable exterior rearview mirror assembly and includes a baseor sail 712, for mounting to a vehicle, and a housing 714 which ispivotally mounted to the base 712 in a conventional manner andpreferably with a break-away mounting. Optionally, exterior rearviewmirror assembly 710 may include a powerfold mechanism 715 (FIG. 39). Inthis manner, housing 714 moves from a normal use position to a foldedposition towards the vehicle, for example when housing 714 is impactedby a force sufficient to actuate the break-away mounting or when thepowerfold mechanism is actuated. It should be understood, that the termfolded position encompasses any position in which housing 14 is foldedfrom its normal use position towards the vehicle, including a foldedposition in which housing 714 is folded against the vehicle shown inFIG. 40. Exterior rearview mirror assembly 710 also includes areflective element 716 which is supported in housing 714. Reference ismade to the previous embodiments for examples of reflective element 716,break-away mountings, or powerfold mechanisms, and for examples ofpreferred materials for housing 714.

As best seen in FIGS. 41A and 41B, exterior rearview mirror assembly 710includes a ground illuminating light assembly 718, which is incorporatedinto housing 714, as will be more fully described below. Light assembly718 directs light downwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle to provide asecurity light in a light pattern 719 shown in FIG. 39. Light pattern719 is defined between leading edges 720 and 722, with leading edge 720extending rearwardly and generally parallel to the side of the vehicleand leading edge 722 angled away from the vehicle and optionallysubstantially orthogonal to the side of the vehicle such that the areaof ground that is illuminated by light assembly 718 is adjacent both thedriver and passenger doors of the vehicle. Thus, light pattern 719 isprojecting generally rearwardly and generally parallel to the vehiclecenterline or longitudinal axis 719 a (FIG. 39). In the illustratedembodiment, both passenger and driver side exterior rearview mirrorassemblies 710 and 710′ incorporate light assembly 718, with driver sideassembly 710′ providing a mirror image light pattern 719′ to lightpattern 719. However, it should be understood that light assembly 718may be incorporated into one or both of the driver and passenger sideexterior rearview mirror assemblies.

As best seen in FIG. 40, when exterior rearview mirror assembly 710 ismoved from its normal operating position (shown in FIGS. 39 and 41A)toward the vehicle to a folded position (shown in FIGS. 40 and 41B),light assembly 718 directs light in a light pattern 723 downwardly andrearwardly of the vehicle as defined between leading edges 724 and 726,with leading edge 724 being angled toward the vehicle side and leadingedge 726 being angled away from the vehicle. While light pattern 723produced by light assembly 718 in the folded position is illustrated asa reduced lighted security zone, as compared to the light pattern whenthe exterior mirror assembly is in its normal use position, it should beunderstood that the security zone of illumination may be increased ordecreased as desired by adjusting the optics of the light assembly 718,as will be appreciated from the description which follows.

Referring again to FIGS. 41A and 41B, light assembly 718 preferablyincludes two light sources 728 and 730 and at least one optical element732. Alternately, a single light source with bifurcated and/or compoundemitting directions can be used and/or an optical element such as a lenswith bifurcated and/or compound facets can be used. Optical element 732includes a first illuminator portion 734 which extends along the lowerwall 736 of housing 714 and which directs light downwardly andrearwardly of the vehicle when the housing 714 is in its normaloperating position preferably while restricting light from entering thevehicle so that the light is substantially unobservable by the occupantof the vehicle. Optical element 732 includes a second illuminatorportion 740 which extends from first illuminator portion 734 and wrapsaround the lower outboard corner of housing 714 and upwardly along endor outboard wall 742 of housing 714. Second illuminator portion 740 ofoptical element 732 projects light downwardly and rearwardly off thevehicle when housing 714 is in a folded position, as shown in FIG. 40.Preferably, light source 728 is associated with and projects lightthrough first illuminator portion 734 of optical element 732, whilelight source 730 is associated with and projects light though secondilluminator portion 740 of optical element 732. In this manner, lightsources 728 and 730 may be individually actuated when the mirrorassembly housing 714 is moved between the normal operating position andfolded positions. Light sources 728 and 730 preferably comprise lightemitting diodes (LED's) or mini or micro-incandescent lamps, for examplemicro bulbs such as Christmas light bulbs. For examples of other lightsources which may be incorporated into light assembly 718, reference ismade to the previous embodiments.

In preferred form, optical element 732 comprises a light conduitingmember, for example a light pipe of the type described in the previousembodiments. In this manner, light sources 728 and 730 may be positionedadjacent to or optically coupled to respective input ends 734 a and 740a of the first and second illuminator portions 734 and 740 of light pipe732. As described in reference to the previous embodiments, light pipe732 preferably includes a plurality of internal light reflectingsurfaces, which direct light through light pipe 732 from input ends 734and 740 a and outwardly from light pipe 732 through light emittingsurfaces 734 b and 740 b.

In one form, optical element 732 may comprise two or more light pipeportions, which are preferably aligned and arranged in an abuttingrelationship to form a substantially continuous illuminator forming twoor more discrete illuminator portions. Further, optical element 732preferably comprises an L-shaped light pipe or L-shaped composite lightpipe.

Optionally, light assembly 718 may be formed as part of a light module750, which module preferably defines a lower portion 714 a of housing714 of exterior rearview mirror assembly 710. Similar to the previousembodiment, module 750 preferably includes a housing which is adapted toreleasably secure to housing 714 of mirror assembly 710. In this manner,module 750 may be quickly and easily removed for service or replacement.Furthermore, the module may incorporate a plurality of other devices inaddition to light assembly 718, as will be described more fully below.

Optionally, a ground illuminating security light (or a signal light) canbe incorporated into non-folding or the fixed portion of exteriorrearview mirror assembly 710. Thus, a security light or signal light canbe incorporated at or into the neck 36 and fixed or stationary panel orsail 38 of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1. For example,such as illustrated in FIGS. 42A and 42B, a security light such asfloodlight 751 can be included, preferably in lower portion of base orsail 712. Preferably floodlight 751 is similar in construction tosecurity light 516 and 616 described previously. Floodlight 751preferably remains generally fixed with respect to the vehicle and isunaffected by the repositioning of the folding portion of assembly 710.Thus, when, for example, housing 714 is moved toward the side of thevehicle under a break-away motion or due to actuation of a powerfoldmechanism, the lighted security zone established by the light patternprojected from floodlight 751 remains substantially unchanged.Optionally, a security light can be incorporated into both, or only oneof, the folding portion and the non-folding portion (i.e. theirremovable portion and their stationary or fixed portion) of a break-awayor powerfold exterior mirror assembly.

Furthermore, floodlight 751 may be a serviceable, water impervious lightmodule that is incorporated into an exterior rearview assembly, such asinto a bracket of the exterior rearview mirror assembly, in a mannerthat sustains the aerodynamics and styling of the assembly.

Referring to FIG. 42B, an eighth embodiment of exterior rearview mirrorassembly 710″ is illustrated. Exterior rearview mirror assembly 710″includes a mounting portion 712″ and a housing 714″, which includes areflective element 716″, similar to the previous embodiments. Housing714″ also includes a light assembly 718″ for illuminating the groundadjacent the vehicle. Light assembly 718″ includes a light source 730″and a light conduiting member 732″, for example a light pipe, which isadapted to direct light downwardly and laterally from the vehicle whenthe exterior rearview mirror assembly 710″ is in its normal useposition, as illustrated in FIG. 42D. Light assembly 718″ produces alight pattern 719″ which is defined between leading edges 720″ and 722″,which form a cone light pattern which is substantially orthogonal to thecenterline or longitudinal axis 719 a of the vehicle as shown in FIG.39. Alternately, individual light emitting sources such as lightemitting diodes or incandescent micro lamps can be located in theassembly such that some are projecting light substantially orthogonallyto the vehicle centerline 719 a whereas others are projecting lightsubstantially parallel to the vehicle centerline 719 a. For furtherdetails of the light source and light conduiting member, reference ismade to the previous embodiments.

Similar to the previous embodiment, light conduiting member 732″ wrapsaround a lower outboard corner of housing 714″ from a lower wall 736″ toan outboard wall 742″ of housing 714″. In this manner, when the foldingportion of exterior rearview mirror assembly 710″ is moved between itsnormal use position, as illustrated in FIG. 42D, to a folded position,due to a break-away force or actuation by a powerfold mechanism, lightpattern 719″ extends generally rearward and laterally from the vehiclesimilar to light pattern 723 shown in FIG. 40. It should be understood,that the range of light pattern 719″ may be increased or decreased byvarying the optics of light conduiting member 732″, as would beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, similar to the previous embodiment, light signal 718″ maybe incorporated into a housing 748″ to form a light module 750″ similarto light module 750 described in reference to the previous embodiment.In this manner, signal light 718″ may be easily removed for replacementor service. In addition, module 750″ may incorporate other devices, aswill be more fully described below.

Referring to FIG. 43, a tenth embodiment of exterior rearview mirrorassembly 810 is shown. Exterior rearview mirror assembly 810 includes amounting portion or sail 812 and a mirror housing 814 which is mountedto or formed with sail 812. As described in reference to the earlierembodiments, exterior rearview mirror assembly 810 may comprise a fixedmirror assembly, a break-away mirror assembly, or the like. Furthermore,exterior rearview mirror assembly 810 may optionally include a powerfoldmechanism 815 as noted in reference to the previous embodiments. In theillustrated embodiment, housing 814 is mounted for pivotal movementabout axis 814 a. Positioned in housing 814 is a reflective element 816and a signal light assembly 818, which directs light at least laterallyand rearwardly of the vehicle and, further, away from the vehicle torestrict light from entering the vehicle so that the light issubstantially unobservable by the occupant of the vehicle.

Signal light assembly 818 is positioned behind reflective element 816and preferably positioned to minimize the interference with the typicalfield of view of an exterior rearview mirror assembly 810 designated byarea 819 in FIG. 43. Preferably, signal light assembly 818 is positionedat a top outboard location of reflective element 816.

Reflective element 816 comprises a substrate 820 (see FIG. 44), forexample a glass substrate, which includes a mirror reflective coating822 on its front surface 820 a (alternatively, mirror reflective coating822 could be on the rear surface of 820). For example, a reflectivecoating 822 may comprise a metal reflective coating, such as silver,aluminum, palladium, chromium, rhodium, rhodium/chromium, or binaryreflectors, or the like. For examples of other suitable reflectivecoatings, reference is made to the previous embodiment. In order todirect light through reflective element 816, a portion of the reflectivecoating, such as a chrome metal film, on glass substrate 820 is at leastpartially locally removed, for example by etching or as masked duringdeposition, to form a window 816 a. In this manner, window 816 atransmits at least 60% of visible light emitted by the signal lightelement placed behind surface 820 a of substrate 820, more preferably atleast 70% of visible light, and most preferably at least 80% of visiblelight. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of reflective elementthat is removed preferably forms a turn signal indicia, for example atriangular shape or an arrow shape; however, it can be appreciated thatother shapes of windows, including a plurality of discrete windows, maybe used. In this manner, signal light assembly 818 directs light throughthe glass substrate. Preferably, window 816 a comprises a clear, highlytransparent portion of reflective element 816, and most preferablyreflective coating 822 is fully removed. Consequently, the signal lightcan be readily observed by an approaching driver whether or not thesignal light is actuated. Optionally, window 816 a may include anelectrochromic layer to vary the intensity of the light from signallight 818. For examples of suitable electrochromic layers, reference ismade to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,729,379 and 5,780,160, disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Mirror reflective element 816 is supported by a reflective elementsupport member 824, such as a backing plate, which is preferably mountedto a positioning device, for example an electrical actuator, a manualactuator, or the like, to permit repositioning of reflective element 816within housing 814. However, it should be understood, that reflectiveelement 816 may comprise a fixed reflective element. Also supported onbacking plate 824 is signal light assembly 818.

As best seen in FIG. 44, signal light assembly 818 includes a lightsource 826 and light conduiting member 828, such as a light pipe. Lightconduiting member 828 is of similar construction to light conduitingmembers 230 and 250. As previously described in reference to light pipes230 and 250, light conduiting member 828 includes a light input surface828 a, a plurality of internal reflective surfaces 828 b, and a lightemitting surface 828 c. Internal reflective surfaces 828 b direct lightfrom light source 826 outwardly through light emitting surface 828 cwhile directing light away from the operator of the vehicle such thatthe light is substantially unobserved by the driver. Again, for examplesof light sources and further description of suitable housing materials,and light conduiting members, reference is made to the previousembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46, an eleventh embodiment 910 of an exteriorrearview mirror assembly is illustrated. Exterior rearview mirrorassembly 910 includes a mounting portion or sail 912 and a housing 914which is formed with or mounted to sail 912. Included in housing 914,are a reflective element 916 and a signal light assembly 918. Reflectiveelement 916 comprises a conventional reflective element; therefore,reference is made to the previous embodiments for some examples ofsuitable reflective elements. Reflective element 916 is supported inhousing 914 by a mirror support or backing plate 924 and is preferablymounted for pivotal movement by an actuator, for example an electricalactuator, a manual actuator, or the like. Alternatively, mirror support924 may be mounted to a fixed support arm within mirror housing 914.

Supported on mirror support 924 adjacent reflective element 916 issignal light assembly 918. Signal light assembly 918 directs lightlaterally and rearwardly from the vehicle and, further, away from thevehicle so that the light is substantially unobservable to the occupantof the vehicle. As best seen in FIG. 46, signal light assembly 918includes at least one light source 926 and a light conduiting member 928similar to the previous embodiment. Also similar to the previousembodiment, signal light 918 is positioned preferably in an outboardposition to minimize the interference with the field of view of mirrorelement 916. Preferably, light conduiting member 928 and reflectiveelement 916 are substantially aligned in a common plane so that theouter surface of signal light assembly 918 is generally flush withreflective element 916 to form substantially contiguous surfaces.Reference is made to the previous embodiments for further details ofsuitable light sources and light conduiting members. Optionally, lightassembly 918 may include a cover (not shown) to seal light source.However, it should be understood that a sealant may be used in lieu of aseparate cover, such as an epoxy.

The concepts of this invention are applicable to a variety of exteriorvehicular mirror assembly constructions, including one-part designs,uni-body constructions, and their like, as known in the exterior mirrorassembly art. The concepts of the invention are also applicable to avariety of assemblies including assemblies that use a bracket as adistinct internal structure and assemblies that do not use a bracket butrather are bracket-less assemblies where the housing itself serves as astructural element with means such as on the walls of the housing forsecuring an actuator and for receiving a light module.

Also, although desirably and preferably finding utility as a securitylight, the exterior mirror assembly security light modules of thisinvention are also useful for other purposes such as providing for acourtesy exterior light, a general ground illumination light when suchlighting may be desired such as when a door is opening, a key isinserted, or a keyboard entry is touched, or when approach of a personto a vehicle is detected such as by voice activation, proximitydetection and the like. Also, light modules using the principles andconcepts described herein could be provided for mounting on the vehicleother than within an exterior mirror assembly, such as under a doorwithin a door well or under a door body panel so as to provide groundillumination directly under a door whenever the door is opened.

In addition, the signal light modules of the present invention mayincorporate a security light. For example, referring to FIG. 47, asignal light module 416′″, which is of similar construction to signallight module 416, incorporates a security light module 516′. Securitylight module 516′ is of similar construction to security light modules516 or 616. In the illustrated embodiment, security module 516′ ismounted to the lower wall of signal light module 416′″ and projects alight pattern 517′ similar to light pattern 517. It should be understoodthat the location of security light module 516′ within signal lightmodule 416′″ is just one exemplary illustration and that other locationswithin signal light module 416′″ are also contemplated. Furthermore, theoptics of security light module 516′ may be adjusted, as would beunderstood, to accommodate the numerous other desirable locations withinsignal light assembly 416′″ to provide similar light patterns asdescribed in further detail in reference to the previous embodiments.Likewise, the security light modules of the present invention mayincorporate a signal light. In preferred form, the signal light modules(or security light modules or combined security light/turn signal lightmodules) complete or form the lower portion of the exterior mirrorhousing. In this manner, the signal light modules may be easily removedfor replacement or service. Also, the signal light modules may alsoinclude other lighting features, such as ground illumination lightswhich are activated when the door is opened, such as when the key isinserted into the door lock or when remotely unlocked by an electronickey or by voice activation, or when the car is approached by a person asdetected, for example, by a proximity detector system. Other featureswhich may be incorporated or combined with the signal light modules andsecurity light modules include: blind spot detectors; sensors, forexample control sensors for control circuits including control circuitsfor electrochromic elements, temperature sensors for controls orindicators, heading sensors; intelligent highway control systems (IHCS);intrusion detectors; antennas, such as a GPS antenna, car phoneantennas, radio antenna, and the like; microphones; speakers; garagedoor opener transmitters and antennas; an automatic toll booth paymentsystem, such as a PASS™ system; transceivers; a node and/or controllerfor a vehicle multiplex and/or car area network; a remote transactionsystem; or telecommunication devices, such as ONSTAR® found in GeneralMotor vehicles of Detroit, Mich., or RESCU™ available from Ford MotorCompany of Detroit, Mich. Such remote transaction systems may, forexample, include such remote transaction systems described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/057,428, filed Apr. 8, 1998, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,158,655, the disclosure of which is incorporated in itsentirety by reference herein. Further features may include providing theexterior mirror systems with plug-in electrical connectors, which permitthe security light modules and signal light modules of the presentinvention to be easily and quickly plugged in to the exterior mirrorassembly without the need for extra wiring (such as wire harnesses,cables, and the like). Examples of suitable plug-in electricalconnectors are shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/978,593, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,007,222, which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

In addition, the signal light modules (such as module 750′″ of FIG. 48)of the present invention may include incorporated therein one or morecameras 752 (FIG. 48). These cameras may be forward and/or rearwardfacing depending on the application. For example, cameras may be used asa part of a headlamp control system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,796,094, a rearview vision system for vehicles, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,670,935 and in PCT Publication No. WO 96/38319, an imagecapture system, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/199,907, filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,610, allcommonly assigned and incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties. For example, and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,610,incorporated above, the camera vision system 753 may include a display(such as display 754 in FIG. 48) or display system that displays animage from an output of the image capture device or camera. In addition,the cameras may be supplied with an electrochromic filter, such asdisclosed in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/135,657 filed May24, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

In preferred form, both the signal light modules and security lightmodules are detachable so that they can either be replaced as a wholeunit or serviced with individual components of the respective modulesbeing detachable for repair or replacement. In some applications, it maybe more commercially attractive to make the whole module replaceable asa unit rather than the individual components. In other instances, it maybe more commercially attractive to make some or all the individualcomponents replaceable or serviceable, for example the bulb or bulbs maybe individually replaceable. In addition, both or either the signallights and security lights may be used as a marker or locationindicator, such as a car find feature, with the lights being actuated,for example, by a key fob, to flash for intervals, for example, onesecond intervals, five second intervals, or 15 intervals, or the like.However, when the signal light or security light is used for thisfeature, it is preferred that this marker function is locked out whenthe vehicle is operating, for example by using a lock-out circuit aspreviously described.

In order to minimize exposure to moisture and other elements, the signallight modules and security light modules of the present invention may befabricated as water impervious modules. The modules may include one ormore moisture escape routes, for example ports with covers that permitegress of moisture from the module but restrict moisture ingress. Oneexample of such a cover is a patch of a semi-permeable membrane, such asGORTEX™. Alternately, the modules may include a drain to permit moistureto drain from the module.

While several forms of the invention have been shown and described,other forms will now become apparent to those skilled in the art. Forexample, the signal light assembly (216, 316, 416, 818, or 918) mayproject a white light or other colored light including a red light or ablue light (such as could be generated by a blue LED or blue phosphor).Likewise, the security light module (516, 616, or 718) may project acolored light, such as an amber light or a red light as desired.Furthermore, as described in reference to the first embodiment, rearviewmirror assemblies 310, 410, 510, 610, 810, or 910 may comprise fixedposition mirror assemblies or break-away mirror assemblies.

Changes and modification in the specifically described embodiments canbe carried out without departing from the principles of the invention,which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent lawincluding the doctrine of equivalents. Therefore, it will be understoodthat the embodiment shown in the drawings described above are merely forillustrated purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the claims that follow.

We claim:
 1. An exterior mirror system for a vehicle, said exteriormirror system comprising: a driver-side exterior rearview mirrorassembly mounted at a driver side of a vehicle equipped with saidexterior mirror system, said driver-side exterior mirror assemblycomprising a driver-side mounting portion configured for mounting at thedriver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion, and a driver-side reflective element housed by saiddriver-side exterior mirror housing portion; wherein, when saiddriver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the driverside of the equipped vehicle, said driver-side exterior mirror housingportion is movable relative to said driver-side mounting portion;wherein said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relativeto said driver-side mounting portion between a normal operating positionin which said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is extendedfrom the vehicle to a folded position towards the body of the equippedvehicle when said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion isimpacted with sufficient force; wherein said driver-side exteriorrearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and adriver-side camera; wherein said driver-side light module comprises adriver-side indicator; a passenger-side exterior rearview mirrorassembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle, saidpassenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-sidemounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of theequipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion, anda passenger-side reflective element housed by said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion; wherein, when said passenger-sideexterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the passenger side ofthe equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror housingportion is movable relative to said passenger-side mounting portion;wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion movesrelative to said passenger-side mounting portion between a normaloperating position in which said passenger-side exterior mirror housingportion is extended from the vehicle to a folded position towards thebody of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior mirrorhousing portion is impacted with sufficient force; wherein saidpassenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes apassenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera; wherein saidpassenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side indicator;wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprisepart of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, andwherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device thatis operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equippedvehicle; wherein the displayed images displayed by said display deviceinclude an image portion derived from image data captured by at leastone of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, andwherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at leastin part towards the rear of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-sidecamera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part towards therear of the equipped vehicle; wherein said driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion comprises a first casing; wherein said first casing isinjection molded from a resinous plastic; wherein said driver-side lightmodule is disposed at said driver-side exterior mirror housing portionand moves therewith when said driver-side exterior mirror housingportion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion between itsnormal operating position and its folded position; wherein a lighttransmitting portion of said driver-side light module is configured towrap at least partially around an outward side of said first casing;wherein said driver-side reflective element is mounted to a firstbacking plate which is supported by a first electrical actuator operableto move said driver-side reflective element within said first casing;wherein said first electrical actuator comprises a dual axis positioningdevice that permits adjustment of the position of said driver-sidereflective element and said first backing plate about both vertical andhorizontal axes; wherein said driver-side indicator comprises adriver-side signal light that, when used in said driver-side exteriorrearview mirror assembly mounted at the driver side of the equippedvehicle and when a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle isactuated by the driver of the equipped vehicle, is configured to providelight that is observable to another driver of another vehicle who is atleast one of (i) approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii)overtaking the equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the driverside of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted; wherein actuation of said driver-side signallight provides at least one of (i) light forwardly of the vehicle sothat drivers of other vehicles approaching the equipped vehicle mayobserve said actuated driver-side signal light and (ii) light laterallywith respect to the equipped vehicle; wherein said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion comprises a second casing; wherein saidsecond casing is injection molded from a resinous plastic; wherein alight transmitting portion of said passenger-side light module isconfigured to wrap at least partially around an outward side of saidsecond casing; wherein said passenger-side light module is disposed atsaid passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion and moves therewithwhen said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relativeto said passenger-side mounting portion between its normal operatingposition and its folded position; wherein said passenger-side reflectiveelement is mounted to a second backing plate which is supported by asecond electrical actuator operable to move said passenger-sidereflective element within said second casing; wherein said secondelectrical actuator comprises a dual axis positioning device thatpermits adjustment of the position of said passenger-side reflectiveelement and said second backing plate about both vertical and horizontalaxes; wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a passenger-sidesignal light that, when used in said passenger-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicleand when a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle is actuated by thedriver of the equipped vehicle, is configured to provide light that isobservable to another driver of another vehicle who is at least one of(i) approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii) overtakingthe equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the passenger side ofthe equipped vehicle at which said passenger-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted; wherein actuation of said passenger-sidesignal light provides at least one of (i) light forwardly of the vehicleso that drivers of other vehicles approaching the equipped vehicle mayobserve said actuated passenger-side signal light and (ii) lightlaterally with respect to the equipped vehicle; and wherein, responsiveto receipt by a control of the equipped vehicle of a signal from aremote transmitting device when the equipped vehicle is parked, a lightsource of said driver-side light module and a light source of saidpassenger-side light module flash.
 2. The exterior mirror system ofclaim 1, wherein at least two of (i) said first electrical actuator issupported by a first mounting bracket (ii) said first electricalactuator is supported by a first mounting bracket that is secured tosaid first casing via structure provided at a first casing wall, (iii)said second electrical actuator is supported by a second mountingbracket and (iv) said second electrical actuator is supported by asecond mounting bracket that is secured to said second casing viastructure provided at a second casing wall.
 3. The exterior mirrorsystem of claim 2, wherein said first casing is injection molded from atleast one of (i) nylon, (ii) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),(iii) mineral-filled nylon, (iv) glass filled nylon, (v) polyester and(vi) polypropylene.
 4. The exterior mirror system of claim 3, whereinsaid second casing is injection molded from at least one of (i) nylon,(ii) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), (iii) mineral-filled nylon,(iv) glass filled nylon, (v) polyester and (vi) polypropylene.
 5. Theexterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side signal lightcomprises at least one light source disposed at said driver-sideexterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein said at least one lightsource of said driver-side signal light is angled relative to the driverside of the equipped vehicle to, when electrically powered, emit lightaway from the driver side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-sideexterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the driver sideof the equipped vehicle, and wherein said passenger-side signal lightcomprises at least one light source disposed at said passenger-sideexterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein said at least one lightsource of said passenger-side signal light is angled relative to thepassenger side of the equipped vehicle to, when electrically powered,emit light away from the passenger side of the equipped vehicle whensaid passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normallymounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle.
 6. The exteriormirror system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) said driver-sideindicator comprises at least one light emitting diode and saidpassenger-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode,(ii) said driver-side indicator comprises at least one incandescentlight source and said passenger-side indicator comprises at least oneincandescent light source and (iii) said driver-side indicator compriseslight piping and said passenger-side indicator comprises light piping.7. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said driver-sideindicator comprises at least one light emitting diode and saidpassenger-side indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode. 8.The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) saiddriver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion with minimal protrusion from said driver-side exteriormirror housing portion into the slipstream and wherein saidpassenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exteriormirror housing portion with minimal protrusion from said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion into the slipstream and (ii) saiddriver-side light module is mounted in said driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion such that at least a portion of a lens of saiddriver-side light module is substantially flush with an outer surface ofsaid driver-side exterior mirror housing portion and wherein saidpassenger-side light module is mounted in said passenger-side exteriormirror housing portion such that at least a portion of a lens of saidpassenger-side light module is substantially flush with an outer surfaceof said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion.
 9. The exteriormirror system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (i) said driver-sidecamera is part of said driver-side light module and said passenger-sidecamera is part of said passenger-side light module and (ii) thedisplayed images displayed by said display device include an imageportion derived from image data captured by each of said driver-sidecamera and said passenger-side camera.
 10. The exterior mirror system ofclaim 1, wherein said driver-side light module comprises a first lightsource and a first light pipe and wherein said first light pipe conduitslight emitted by said first light source when electrically powered toprovide light that is observable to another driver of another vehiclewho is at least one of (i) approaching the equipped vehicle from itsrear and (ii) overtaking the equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacentto the driver side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-sideexterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted.
 11. The exterior mirrorsystem of claim 10, wherein said passenger-side light module comprises asecond light source and a second light pipe and wherein said secondlight pipe conduits light emitted by said second light source whenelectrically powered to provide light that is observable to anotherdriver of another vehicle who is at least one of (i) approaching theequipped vehicle from its rear and (ii) overtaking the equipped vehiclein the side lane adjacent to the passenger side of the equipped vehicleat which said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly ismounted.
 12. The exterior mirror system of claim 11, wherein said firstlight pipe is formed by plastic molding and wherein said second lightpipe is formed by plastic molding.
 13. The exterior mirror system ofclaim 12, wherein said first light source comprises a light emittingdiode and wherein said second light source comprises a light emittingdiode.
 14. The exterior mirror system of claim 13, wherein said firstlight pipe is formed by plastic molding of one of (i) polycarbonate and(ii) acrylic, and wherein said second light pipe is formed by plasticmolding of one of (i) polycarbonate and (ii) acrylic.
 15. An exteriormirror system for a vehicle, said exterior mirror system comprising: adriver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver sideof a vehicle equipped with said exterior mirror system, said driver-sideexterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mounting portionconfigured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, adriver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and a driver-sidereflective element housed by said driver-side exterior mirror housingportion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, saiddriver-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative to saiddriver-side mounting portion; wherein said driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portionbetween a normal operating position in which said driver-side exteriormirror housing portion is extended from the vehicle to a folded positiontowards the body of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exteriormirror housing portion is impacted with sufficient force; wherein saiddriver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-sidelight module and a driver-side camera; wherein said driver-side lightmodule comprises a driver-side indicator; a passenger-side exteriorrearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equippedvehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising apassenger-side mounting portion configured for mounting at the passengerside of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housingportion, and a passenger-side reflective element housed by saidpassenger-side exterior mirror housing portion; wherein, when saidpassenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at thepassenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exteriormirror housing portion is movable relative to said passenger-sidemounting portion; wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror housingportion moves relative to said passenger-side mounting portion between anormal operating position in which said passenger-side exterior mirrorhousing portion is extended from the vehicle to a folded positiontowards the body of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion is impacted with sufficient force;wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes apassenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera; wherein saidpassenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side indicator;wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprisepart of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, andwherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device thatis operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equippedvehicle; wherein the displayed images displayed by said display deviceinclude an image portion derived from image data captured by at leastone of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, andwherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at leastin part towards the rear of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-sidecamera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part towards therear of the equipped vehicle; wherein said driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion comprises a first casing; wherein said first casing isinjection molded from a resinous plastic; wherein said driver-side lightmodule is disposed at said driver-side exterior mirror housing portionand moves therewith when said driver-side exterior mirror housingportion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion between itsnormal operating position and its folded position; wherein a lighttransmitting portion of said driver-side light module is configured towrap at least partially around an outward side of said first casing;wherein said driver-side reflective element is mounted to a firstbacking plate which is supported by a first electrical actuator operableto move said driver-side reflective element within said first casing;wherein said first electrical actuator comprises a dual axis positioningdevice that permits adjustment of the position of said driver-sidereflective element and said first backing plate about both vertical andhorizontal axes; wherein said driver-side indicator comprises adriver-side signal light that, when used in said driver-side exteriorrearview mirror assembly mounted at the driver side of the equippedvehicle and when a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle isactuated by the driver of the equipped vehicle, is configured to providelight that is observable to another driver of another vehicle who is atleast one of (i) approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii)overtaking the equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the driverside of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted; wherein actuation of said driver-side signallight provides at least one of (i) light forwardly of the vehicle sothat drivers of other vehicles approaching the equipped vehicle mayobserve said actuated driver-side signal light and (ii) light laterallywith respect to the equipped vehicle; wherein said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion comprises a second casing; wherein saidsecond casing is injection molded from a resinous plastic; wherein alight transmitting portion of said passenger-side light module isconfigured to wrap at least partially around an outward side of saidsecond casing; wherein said passenger-side light module is disposed atsaid passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion and moves therewithwhen said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relativeto said passenger-side mounting portion between its normal operatingposition and its folded position; wherein said passenger-side reflectiveelement is mounted to a second backing plate which is supported by asecond electrical actuator operable to move said passenger-sidereflective element within said second casing; wherein said secondelectrical actuator comprises a dual axis positioning device thatpermits adjustment of the position of said passenger-side reflectiveelement and said second backing plate about both vertical and horizontalaxes; wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a passenger-sidesignal light that, when used in said passenger-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicleand when a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle is actuated by thedriver of the equipped vehicle, is configured to provide light that isobservable to another driver of another vehicle who is at least one of(i) approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii) overtakingthe equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the passenger side ofthe equipped vehicle at which said passenger-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted; wherein actuation of said passenger-sidesignal light provides at least one of (i) light forwardly of the vehicleso that drivers of other vehicles approaching the equipped vehicle mayobserve said actuated passenger-side signal light and (ii) lightlaterally with respect to the equipped vehicle; wherein said driver-sidesignal light comprises at least one light source disposed at saiddriver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein said at leastone light source of said driver-side signal light is angled relative tothe driver side of the equipped vehicle to, when electrically powered,emit light away from the driver side of the equipped vehicle when saiddriver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at thedriver side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said passenger-sidesignal light comprises at least one light source disposed at saidpassenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein said atleast one light source of said passenger-side signal light is angledrelative to the passenger side of the equipped vehicle to, whenelectrically powered, emit light away from the passenger side of theequipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirrorassembly is normally mounted at the passenger side of the equippedvehicle; wherein said driver-side indicator comprises at least one lightemitting diode and said passenger-side indicator comprises at least onelight emitting diode; and wherein at least two of (i) said firstelectrical actuator is supported by a first mounting bracket (ii) saidfirst electrical actuator is supported by a first mounting bracket thatis secured to said first casing via structure provided at a first casingwall, (iii) said second electrical actuator is supported by a secondmounting bracket and (iv) said second electrical actuator is supportedby a second mounting bracket that is secured to said second casing viastructure provided at a second casing wall.
 16. The exterior mirrorsystem of claim 15, wherein said driver-side light module comprises afirst light pipe and wherein said first light pipe conduits lightemitted by said at least one light emitting diode of said driver-sideindicator when electrically powered to provide light that is observableto another driver of another vehicle who is at least one of (i)approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii) overtaking theequipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the driver side of theequipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior rearview mirrorassembly is mounted.
 17. The exterior mirror system of claim 16, whereinsaid first light pipe is formed by plastic molding of one of (i)polycarbonate and (ii) acrylic, and wherein said second light pipe isformed by plastic molding of one of (i) polycarbonate and (ii) acrylic.18. An exterior mirror system for a vehicle, said exterior mirror systemcomprising: a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at adriver side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior mirror system, saiddriver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mountingportion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equippedvehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing portion, and adriver-side reflective element housed by said driver-side exteriormirror housing portion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted at the driver side of the equipped vehicle,said driver-side exterior mirror housing portion is movable relative tosaid driver-side mounting portion; wherein said driver-side exteriormirror housing portion moves relative to said driver-side mountingportion between a normal operating position in which said driver-sideexterior mirror housing portion is extended from the vehicle to a foldedposition towards the body of the equipped vehicle when said driver-sideexterior mirror housing portion is impacted with sufficient force;wherein said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes adriver-side light module and a driver-side camera; wherein saiddriver-side light module comprises a driver-side indicator; apassenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passengerside of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exterior mirrorassembly comprising a passenger-side mounting portion configured formounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion, and a passenger-side reflective elementhoused by said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion; wherein,when said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted atthe passenger side of the equipped vehicle, said passenger-side exteriormirror housing portion is movable relative to said passenger-sidemounting portion; wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror housingportion moves relative to said passenger-side mounting portion between anormal operating position in which said passenger-side exterior mirrorhousing portion is extended from the vehicle to a folded positiontowards the body of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion is impacted with sufficient force;wherein said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes apassenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera; wherein saidpassenger-side light module comprises a passenger-side indicator;wherein said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera comprisepart of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle, andwherein said multi-camera vision system comprises a display device thatis operable to display images for viewing by a driver of the equippedvehicle; wherein the displayed images displayed by said display deviceinclude an image portion derived from image data captured by at leastone of said driver-side camera and said passenger-side camera, andwherein said driver-side camera has a driver-side field of view at leastin part towards the rear of the equipped vehicle and said passenger-sidecamera has a passenger-side field of view at least in part towards therear of the equipped vehicle; wherein said driver-side exterior mirrorhousing portion comprises a first casing; wherein said first casing isinjection molded from a resinous plastic; wherein said driver-side lightmodule is disposed at said driver-side exterior mirror housing portionand moves therewith when said driver-side exterior mirror housingportion moves relative to said driver-side mounting portion between itsnormal operating position and its folded position; wherein a lighttransmitting portion of said driver-side light module is configured towrap at least partially around an outward side of said first casing;wherein said driver-side reflective element is mounted to a firstbacking plate which is supported by a first electrical actuator operableto move said driver-side reflective element within said first casing;wherein said first electrical actuator comprises a dual axis positioningdevice that permits adjustment of the position of said driver-sidereflective element and said first backing plate about both vertical andhorizontal axes; wherein said driver-side indicator comprises adriver-side signal light that, when used in said driver-side exteriorrearview mirror assembly mounted at the driver side of the equippedvehicle and when a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle isactuated by the driver of the equipped vehicle, is configured to providelight that is observable to another driver of another vehicle who is atleast one of (i) approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii)overtaking the equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the driverside of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted; wherein actuation of said driver-side signallight provides at least one of (i) light forwardly of the vehicle sothat drivers of other vehicles approaching the equipped vehicle mayobserve said actuated driver-side signal light and (ii) light laterallywith respect to the equipped vehicle; wherein said passenger-sideexterior mirror housing portion comprises a second casing; wherein saidsecond casing is injection molded from a resinous plastic; wherein alight transmitting portion of said passenger-side light module isconfigured to wrap at least partially around an outward side of saidsecond casing; wherein said passenger-side light module is disposed atsaid passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion and moves therewithwhen said passenger-side exterior mirror housing portion moves relativeto said passenger-side mounting portion between its normal operatingposition and its folded position; wherein said passenger-side reflectiveelement is mounted to a second backing plate which is supported by asecond electrical actuator operable to move said passenger-sidereflective element within said second casing; wherein said secondelectrical actuator comprises a dual axis positioning device thatpermits adjustment of the position of said passenger-side reflectiveelement and said second backing plate about both vertical and horizontalaxes; wherein said passenger-side indicator comprises a passenger-sidesignal light that, when used in said passenger-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly mounted at the passenger side of the equipped vehicleand when a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle is actuated by thedriver of the equipped vehicle, is configured to provide light that isobservable to another driver of another vehicle who is at least one of(i) approaching the equipped vehicle from its rear and (ii) overtakingthe equipped vehicle in the side lane adjacent to the passenger side ofthe equipped vehicle at which said passenger-side exterior rearviewmirror assembly is mounted; wherein actuation of said passenger-sidesignal light provides at least one of (i) light forwardly of the vehicleso that drivers of other vehicles approaching the equipped vehicle mayobserve said actuated passenger-side signal light and (ii) lightlaterally with respect to the equipped vehicle; and wherein at least oneof (i) said driver-side indicator comprises at least one light emittingdiode and said passenger-side indicator comprises at least one lightemitting diode, (ii) said driver-side indicator comprises at least oneincandescent light source and said passenger-side indicator comprises atleast one incandescent light source and (iii) said driver-side indicatorcomprises light piping and said passenger-side indicator comprises lightpiping.
 19. The exterior mirror system of claim 18, wherein thedisplayed images displayed by said display device include an imageportion derived from image data captured by each of said driver-sidecamera and said passenger-side camera.
 20. The exterior mirror system ofclaim 19, wherein, responsive to receipt by a control of the equippedvehicle of a signal from a remote transmitting device when the equippedvehicle is parked, a light source of said driver-side light moduleflashes.